DANGERS FROM INFECTED FOOD AND WATER 445 



and has some disinfecting qualities. Cinders may often be 

 washed out of the eye and the eye disinfected with a dilute 

 solution of boracic acid. Strong disinfectants should never 

 be used in the eyes or nose. A solution of listerine is a 

 safe mouth wash. 



For disinfecting sinks or washbowls a generous quantity 

 of boiling water containing a small amount of carbolic acid 

 or lysol is very effective. Chloride of lime is the most com- 

 mon disinfectant for sewage pipes leading from bathrooms. 

 Woodwork and wall fixtures may be wiped 

 with a dilute solution of carbolic acid or 

 formalin. It must be remembered that 

 some of these household disinfectants are 

 deadly poisons if taken internally. 



Rooms are disinfected by burning sul- 

 phur in them. The sulphur gas will not be 

 effective, however, unless the atmosphere 

 of the room is very moist. Moisture 

 can be supplied to the atmosphere by 

 thoroughly spraying the room with a fine 

 atomizer or by boiling water in it for some 

 time. Formaldehyde candles (Figure 137) are also burned 

 in rooms to disinfect them. These have proved quite 

 satisfactory. Soap and water, sunlight and air, are the 

 only disinfectants needed for rooms except in case of con- 

 tagious or infectious diseases. 



Dangers from Infected Food and Water. If foods are 

 handled by diseased persons or by. those whose dirty hands 

 have acquired disease bacteria, or if the foods are allowed to 

 stand exposed to dust and dirt, they collect germs. If the 

 food is afterward thoroughly cooked, the germs are gener- 



FlGTJRE 137 



