DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION. 187 



2. Disinfection of Bedding, Carpets, Upholstery, Etc. 



Bedding, carpets, clothing, etc., which would be in- 

 jured by steam, may be disinfected by means of formal- 

 dehyde gas in an ordinary steam disinfecting chamber, 

 the latter to be provided with a heating and if pos- 

 sible a vacuum apparatus and special apparatus for 

 generating the gas. Where penetration through heavy 

 articles is required the gas should be used in the pro- 

 portion of not less than the amount derived from 30 

 ounces of formalin for each 1000 cubic feet, the time 

 of exposure to be not less than eight hours and the 

 temperature of the chamber not below 110 F. 



In order to insure complete sterilization of the articles 

 they should be so placed as to allow of a free circulation 

 of the gas around them that is, in the case of bedding, 

 clothing, etc., these should either be spread out on per- 

 forated wire shelves or loosely suspended in the cham- 

 ber. The aid of a partial vacuum facilitates the opera- 

 tion. Upholstered furniture and articles requiring much 

 space should be placed in a large chamber, or, better, in 

 a room which can.be heated to the required temperature. 



The most delicate fabrics, furs, leather, and other 

 articles, which are injured by steam, hot air at 230 F., 

 or other disinfectants, are unaffected by formaldehyde. 



3. Disinfection of Books. 



Books may be satisfactorily disinfected by means of 

 formaldehyde gas in a special room, or in the ordinary 

 steam chamber, as above described, and under the same 

 condition of volume of gas, temperature, and time of 

 exposure. The books should be arranged to stand as 

 widely open as possible upon perforated wire shelves, 



