28 BACTERIOLOGY. 



be done by plugging with cotton all crevices about the 

 windows and doors, and pasting paper over radiators 

 and ventilators. 



Not much dependence should be placed on gas 

 disinfection alone. It should be clearly understood 

 that a thorough application of soap and water and free 

 exposure to fresh air and sunlight are much to be 

 preferred to the simple introduction of formalin gas 

 or any other disinfectant without due regard to the 

 proper disposition of the room contents, temperature, 

 time of exposure, and the quantity of the disinfectant 

 used. The careless use of gas disinfection and the 

 popular belief that filling a room with gas kills all con- 

 tagion have led to disastrous consequences, and are 

 responsible for the disrepute into which disinfection 

 has fallen in some quarters. 



