DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION. 189 



time involved, formaldehyde gas, generated from com- 

 mercial formalin, is not much more expensive than 

 sulphur dioxide viz., fifteen to thirty cents per 1000 

 cubic feet against ten cents with sulphur. Therefore, 

 we believe that formaldehyde gas is the best disinfect- 

 ant at present known for the surface disinfection of 

 infected dwellings. For heavy goods it is far inferior 

 in penetrative power to steam; but for the disinfection 

 of fine wearing apparel, furs, leather, upholstery, books, 

 and the like, which are injured by great heat, it is, 

 when properly employed, better adapted than any other 

 disinfectant now in use. 



Sulphur Dioxide in House Disinfection. Four pounds 

 of sulphur should be burned for every 1000 cubic feet. 

 The sulphur should be broken into small pieces and 

 put in a pan sufficiently large not to allow the melted 

 sulphur to overflow. This pan is placed in a much 

 larger pan holding a little water. The cracks of the 

 room should be carefully pasted up and the door, after 

 closing, also sealed. Upon the broken sulphur is poured 

 three to four ounces of alcohol and the whole lighted 

 by a match. The alcohol is not only for the purpose 

 of aiding the sulphur to ignite, but also to add moisture 

 to the air. An exposure of eight to twelve hours should 

 be given. 



Sulphur fumigation carried out as above indicated is 

 not as efficient as formaldehyde fumigation, but seems 

 to suffice for surface disinfection for diphtheria and the 

 exanthemata. All heavy goods should be removed 

 for steam disinfection if there is any possibility of the 

 infection having penetrated beneath their surface. If 

 there is no place for steam disinfection their surfaces 

 should be thoroughly exposed to fumigation and then to 



