2l6 



Sterilization and Disinfection 



in ten to thirty minutes. Strong solutions are extremely irri- 

 tating and so not applicable in surgery. They are, however, of 

 great use for household disinfection. Formalin and formaldehyd 

 gas find their chief usefulness for the aerial disinfection of sick 

 chambers and domiciles, where they are either used as a spray 

 or the gas evolved by chemical means or by heat, as will be shown 

 below. 



Peroxid of hydrogen (H 2 O 2 ) is germicidal through its power to 

 liberate the nascent O. It quickly decomposes when brought 

 into contact with organic matter, and, therefore, has a very limited 

 sphere of usefulness. 



The following tables, compiled by Hiss from Fliigge, will 

 show the comparative values of the commonly employed 

 antiseptics and germicides: 



INHIBITION STRENGTHS OF VARIOUS ANTISEPTICS. 

 (Adapted from Fliigge, Leipzig, 1902.) 



