No. 4.] STABLE DISINFECTION. 373 



color to the cotton, one may be assured that disinfection is 

 completed. 



Moist heat in the form of boiling water or steam may be 

 used as a disinfectant for those parts of a stable or those 

 objects about it that cannot, owing to their nature, be treated 

 by lire or dry heat. 



Washing thoroughly with boiling water is very effective as 

 a means of disinfection. Warm water in which the hands 

 can be borne cannot be relied upon. To do the work, it 

 must be quite near the boiling point, and requires to be 

 applied with a mop or a broom. Live steam applied directly 

 from a steam-pipe or hose is much more active than boiling 

 water. It acts very energetically and quickly. To steam 

 walls, floors, mangers, etc., is a sure and satisfactory way 

 of disinfecting them. Pails, blankets, tools, etc., may be 

 either boiled or steamed by immersing them in water or by 

 placing them over boiling water in a tightly covered kettle. 

 An exposure from twenty to thirty minutes is sufficient time 

 to disinfect, provided the object is of such size or texture 

 that the steam or water can readily come in contact with 

 every portion during the greater part of the time. 



There are numerous chemical substances that destroy in- 

 fectious matter. In certain cases it may be advisable, on 

 account of greater convenience or other circumstances, to use 

 one or more of these, in place of those means already men- 

 tioned. Among the large number of such substances are 

 carbolic acid or similar preparations, corrosive sublimate, 

 chloride of lime, sulphur fumes or chlorine gas. 



Carbolic acid is a cheap, effective disinfectant, but, owing 

 to its caustic nature, must be used with care, to avoid acci- 

 dents. The strong acid brought in contact with the skin 

 quickly destroys it. All solutions, whether weak or strong, 

 taken internally in considerable quantities are irritating and 

 poisonous. 



Carbolic acid is sufficiently soluble in water so that a five 

 per cent solution may be made. If more than one part of 

 acid is added to twenty parts of water, the excess remains in 

 suspension as pure acid. A five per cent watery solution is 

 sufficiently strong to destroy most germs inside of one hour, 

 provided the organisms are kept continually moist with it. 



