52 INFECTION AND IMMUNITY 



occupied by patients sick with an infectious disease 

 from becoming infected. Carpets, stuffed furniture, 

 curtains, and other articles difficult to disinfect should 

 be removed at the outset. Indeed, nothing should 

 be left in the room which is not absolutely required, 

 and all furniture and utensils should be of such a 

 character that they can be readily disinfected by 

 washing with boiling water or with a disinfecting so- 

 lution. Abundant ventilation and scrupulous cleanli- 

 ness should be maintained, and a disinfecting solution 

 should always be at hand for washing the floor, or 

 articles in use, the moment they are soiled by infectious 

 discharges. 



Daily wiping of all surfaces floors, walls, and 

 furniture with a cloth wet with a disinfecting solu- 

 tion is to be recommended. For this purpose a 

 solution of chloride of lime (2 per cent), or of car- 

 bolic acid (2 per cent), or mercuric chloride (1:1000), 

 may be used. 



By such precautions the infection of the sick-room 

 may be prevented, especially in those diseases, such 

 as cholera and typhoid fever, in which the infectious 

 agent is not given off from the general surface of the 

 body of the sick person. 



If a complete disinfection of the room is required it 

 is indispensable that it be first vacated. It will then 

 be practicable to use certain gaseous disinfectants. 



