DISINFECTION. 419 



DISINFECTION OF MUCOUS MEMBRANES. 



The disinfection of mucous membranes is far more diffi- 

 cult than that of the external integument. Simple irriga- 

 tion with a disinfectant will not yield the desired result 

 quite apart from the danger of intoxication. Vigorous 

 brushing, however, and alcohol and ether are naturally 

 not applicable here in the same degree as upon the exter- 

 nal integument. The greatest stress is, therefore, to be 

 placed upon mechanical removal of the germs, and this may 

 be effected by brushing and rubbing with the fingers or 

 with swabs of cotton or of gauze. Irrigation of the loos- 

 ened mucus and debris may be practised with simple warm 

 water, or with nonirritant solutions (weak solutions of 

 boric acid, potassium permanganate, aluminum sulphate, 

 physiologic salt-solution, infusion of chamomile, etc.). 



DISINFECTION OF INSTRUMENTS AND DRESSINGS. 



Metallic instruments are boiled for five minutes in water, 

 preferably after addition of one per cent, of soda, whereby 

 rusting is avoided. Cotton, gauze bandages, and the like 

 are sterilized in the steam-chest or the dry chamber. 



DISINFECTION OF FECES AND CESSPOOLS. 



Lime is best adapted for disinfection of the stools. In 

 the bed-pan in which the infectious stool (especially in 

 cases of typhoid fever and of cholera) is received, so much 

 milk of lime is previously introduced as will just cover the 

 bottom of the vessel. After defecation an amount of milk 

 of lime is added equal to the bulk of the feces, and the 

 mixture is vigorously agitated and permitted to stand for 

 an hour. The mixture must be highly alkaline (Pfuhl). 

 The milk of lime should always be freshly prepared : To 

 unslaked lime in stone jars or wooden pails so much water 

 is added as will be taken up. The slaked lime is diluted 

 with four times the amount of water. 



If chlorinated lime be employed, it must be added in an 

 amount equal to one per cent, of the mixture of urine and 

 feces. It may be added in the form of powder or of a paste 



