162 APPLIED BACTERIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



the sick room must be wrapped in a sheet, either steril- 

 ized or wrung from an antiseptic solution, to prevent 

 spreading contagion on the way. 



The patient's eating utensils must not be used by 

 anyone else unless they have first been thoroughly 

 boiled. This is especially true in cases of diphtheria 

 or tuberculosis, but ought to be applied in all infectious 

 diseases. All left-over food is to be burned. 



After convalescence is established the patient should 

 receive at least one full bath and have a complete 

 change of clothing before he is allowed to mingle with 

 others. Bichlorid of mercury may or may not be 

 added to the bath. 



Among the various agents used to fumigate apart- 

 ments after an infectious disease sulphur dioxid has been 

 extensively used in the past, but its action is not depend- 

 able, and it has been almost entirely superseded .by for- 

 maldehyd. Sulphur fumigation is, however, still most 

 useful in killing vermin, such as rats and mice, fleas, lice, 

 etc. Before fumigation the apartment may be cleaned, 

 all gross infectious material e. g., dried sputum, etc. 

 is soaked in 5 per cent, solution of bichlorid of mercury, 

 scraped off, and burnt. All dust is soaked with the same 

 solution, the floors and all the wood work are carefully 

 washed with it; also the walls, if this is practicable. 

 Then soap and hot water are liberally applied, and the 

 apartment is thoroughly ventilated. If this process is 

 carefully and faithfully carried out it may be possible 

 to dispense with formalin disinfection; the latter is, 

 however, an additional safeguard. Before starting 

 fumigation, all cracks and crevices, keyholes, and other 

 small openings are tightly sealed with gummed paper. 



