CHAPTER XXXI 

 THE PRACTICE OF DISINFECTION 



Boiling Water. The simplest method of disinfec- 

 tion, and one which can be used in the most primi- 

 tive establishments as well as in the best equipped 

 hospital, is boiling. No bacteria can withstand the 

 action of boiling water if continued for a sufficient length 

 of time. Most pathogenic bacteria are killed by boiling 



Fig. 45. White enameled steel office sterilizer with handles and a 

 perforated tray (Ashton). 



at the end of ten minutes, while spore-bearers, like the 

 anthrax bacillus, may require a half -hour or even longer. 

 Any vessel which can be covered and placed over a fire 

 answers for a sterilizer, though, of course, there are 

 many types on the market constructed to suit various 

 purposes. Usually they consist of a covered pan, fitted 



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