174 BACTERIOLOGY. 



5. The Sputum from Consumptive Patients. The im- 

 portance of the proper disinfection of the sputum from 

 consumptive patients is still underestimated. Con- 

 sumption is an infectious disease, and is always the 

 result of transmission from the sick to the healthy or 

 from animals to man. The sputum contains the germs 

 which cause the disease, and in a large proportion of 

 rases is the source of infection. After being discharged, 

 unless properly disposed of, it may become dry and pul- 

 verized and float in the air as dust. This dust con- 

 tains the germs, and is a common cause of the disease, 

 through inhalation. In all cases, therefore, the sputum 

 should be disinfected when discharged. It should be 

 received in covered cups containing the carbolic or milk 

 of lime solution. Handkerchiefs soiled by it should be 

 soaked in the carbolic solution and then boiled. Dust 

 from the walls, mouldings, pictures, etc., in rooms that 

 have been occupied by consumptive patients, where the 

 rules of cleanliness have not been carried out, contain 

 the germs and will produce tuberculosis in animals when 

 used for their inoculation ; therefore, rooms should be 

 thoroughly disinfected before they are again occupied. 

 If the sputum of all consumptive patients were de- 

 stroyed at once when discharged a large proportion of 

 the cases of the disease would be prevented. 



6. Closets, Kitchen and Hallway Sinks, etc. The closet 

 should never be used for infected discharges until they 

 have been thoroughly disinfected, if it can be avoided; 

 if done, one pint of carbolic solution should be poured 

 into the pan (after it is emptied) and allowed to remain 

 there. Sinks should be flushed at least once daily. 



7. Dishes, Knives, Forks, Spoons, etc., used by a patient 

 should, as a rule, be kept for his exclusive use and not 



