STERILIZATION AND DISINFECTION. 103 



to stand for an hour before being thrown into the 

 drain. 



The Clothing, etc. All bed-clothing which has been 

 used in the sick-room, all towels, napkins, handkerchiefs, 

 night-robes, underclothes, etc. which have been used by 

 the sick, and all towels, napkins, handkerchiefs, caps, 

 aprons, and outside dresses worn by the nurse, should be 

 regarded as infected and subjected to sterilization. The 

 only satisfactory method of doing this is by prolonged 

 subjection to steam in a special apparatus ; but, as this 

 is only possible in hospitals, the next best thing is boiling 

 for some time in the ordinary wash-boiler. When pos- 

 sible, the clothes should be soaked in i : 2000 bichlorid 

 solution before or after boiling, and in drying should 

 hang in the sun and wind. Woollen underwear can be 

 treated exactly as if of cotton. The woollen clothing of 

 the patient, if infected, requires special treatment. For- 

 tunately, the infection of the outer woollen garments is 

 unusual. The only reliable method for their purification 

 is prolonged exposure to hot air at 110 C. In private 

 practice it becomes a grave question what shall be done 

 with these articles. Prolonged exposure to fresh air and 

 sunlight will aid in rendering them harmless ; when it 

 is certain that articles of wool are infected, they may be 

 sent to the city hospital or to certain of the moth-destroy- 

 ing and fumigating establishments which can be found 

 in all large cities, and be baked. 



The Furniture, etc. The wholesale destruction of fur- 

 niture practised in earlier times has at present become 

 unnecessary. The doctor, if he properly performs his 

 functions, will save much trouble and money for his 

 patient by ordering the immediate isolation of his charge 

 in an uncarpeted, scantily- and cheaply-furnished room 

 the moment an infectious disease is suspected, before 

 much infection can have occurred. However, if before 

 his removal the patient has occupied another bed, its 

 clothing should be promptly handled in the above- 

 described manner. 



