662 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



Carbolic acid is widely used and has many good qualities to 

 recommend it. It can not be depended upon to kill spores but it 

 destroys all other disease germs rapidly. It does not injure any 

 articles of clothing, nor metals. It is poisonous, however, and must 

 be used with care. A saturated solution is close to 5 per cent, the 

 strength in which it is usually employed. Such a solution is useful 

 for the disinfection of sputum from consumptives or persons with 

 pneumonia and for the discharges of typhoid fever patients. Equal 

 portions of the solution and the material to be disinfected must be 

 well mixed together and allowed to stand at least two hours. 



The Cresols are more powerful than carbolic acid and form the 

 basis of many disinfectants. What is known as Trikresol is sold at 

 most drug stores, and is a very efficient germicide for all purposes. 

 The cresols are widely sold in preparations which will mix with 

 water in all proportions. The best of these are known in trade as 

 Creolin, Lysol, Solveol and Solutol. 



A 2 per cent solution of cresol is as efficient as a 5 per cent 

 solution of carbolic acid. It is not interfered with by albuminous 

 substances. Is cheaper than carbolic acid and does not destroy 

 metals or fabrics in a 2 per cent solution. It is more effective than 

 carbolic acid for destroying spores of bacteria, such as anthrax. 

 The main drawback to the use of cresol is that it is not readily solu- 

 ble in water, hence may be used in too weak solution unless great 

 care is taken in the preparation of the solution. 



Lime is one of the cheapest and most useful disinfectants that 

 we have. It has the power of destroying organic matter as well as 

 bacteria and is therefore very useful in the disposal of the bodies 

 of animals which have died of contagious diseases. For disinfection 

 it is best used as milk of lime. In preparing this quicklime must 

 be used. Slake by adding a pint and a half of water to each quart 

 of lime. The result is hydrate of lime a dry powder. One quart 

 of this is mixed with four quarts of water. 



This must be freshly prepared to have any germicidal power. 

 It may be kept two or three days if tightly corked. Milk of lime 

 is very valuable for disinfecting the discharges of patients with 

 typhoid fever, dysentery or cholera. At least an equal volume of 

 the lime must be added and well mixed with the discharge, the 

 whole being allowed to stand two hours. 



Whitewash is the same as milk of lime and when made from 

 freshly slaked lime is equally good if the same proportions are used 

 in mixing. 



Chloride of Lime (Bleaching Powder) chlorinated lime, is 

 widely sold for deodorizing and disinfecting purposes. When freshly 

 prepared or carefully preserved in air tight packages, it is a very 

 useful agent. It may be employed as the powder or in solution. 

 It is used to disinfect discharges and for scrubbing floors and wood- 

 work. 



Formaldehyde Gas is one of the newer germicides and is per- 

 haps the most useful disinfectant for general purposes known. It is 

 irritating to the eyes and throat, but is practically non-poisonous, 



