CHAPTER IX 



DISINFECTION BY GASES 



TT is impracticable to disinfect the atmosphere of an 

 occupied apartment ; for any gaseous or volatile 

 agent which would destroy disease germs suspended 

 in the air would render it irrespirable. Moreover the 

 air of the sick-room should be constantly renewed by 

 ventilation, and there is far less reason for disinfect- 

 ing it when the patient has been removed than while 

 it is occupied, for then the air may be quickly re- 

 newed by opening doors and windows. As is well 

 known, particles of dust suspended in the air of a 

 room have a tendency to settle upon the floor, upon 

 window ledges, etc., and infected particles from the 

 patient's body will constitute a portion of this dust in 

 such diseases as smallpox and scarlet fever, while in 

 tuberculosis, diphtheria, influenza, and pneumonia 

 expectorated material may become desiccated and 

 constitute a portion of the dust. 



Every effort should be made to prevent a room 



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