342 PHARMACEUTICAL BACTERIOLOGY 



solution from a dipper or wide mouthed vessel over the 'permanganate; 

 leave the room at once, close and seal exit, plugging key hole and crevices 

 in door. Eighty per cent, of the gas is liberated within ten minutes or 

 less. Leave the room sealed for at least six hours, preferably twelve 

 hpurs. At the end of this time disinfection is complete. Open doors 

 and windows. Traces of formalin may be destroyed by sprinkling or 

 spraying ammonia in the room. 



It is advised to use a separate container for every pint of formalin used. 

 A -large piece of matting or other absorptive material may be placed under 

 each container to guard against the possibility of staining the floor, in 

 case the floor requires such protection. 



In case sulphur is used, prepare the room (as to sealing, air moisture 

 and warmth) as for formalin disinfection, taking the precaution to remove 

 (and disinfect separate^, by means of formalin and bichloride of mercury) 

 paintmgs, clothing and other fabric which must not be bleached by the 

 sulphurous acid fumes. For every 1000 cubic feet of space, use 3.5 pounds 

 of flower of sulphur. Place the sulphur on a bed of sand or on ashes in 

 an iron pot or pan which is supported on a brick or iron stand in a dish 

 of water. Pour a little alcohol over the sulphur and ignite. 



Sulphur candles are now found upon the market and are more con- 

 venient than sulphur. Place a sufficient number of the candles upon 

 bricks in pans of water and light them. Liquefied sulphur dioxide put 

 up in convenient containers may be employed, using 15 ounces to each 

 1000 cubic feet. Open the can by means of a can opener, set it in a pan 

 or dish and allow the gas to evaporate. 



Remember that the sulphur dioxide corrodes metal, bleaches clothing, 

 hangings and draperies and, like formalin, is without disinfecting power 

 in the absence of moisture. 



After the disinfection with formalin or sulphur dioxide is completed, 

 it is often desirable to go over the floors, furniture, bed frames, etc., with 

 a i-iooo bichloride of mercury solution. 



Mattresses, heavy quilts, pillows and furniture cushions are difficult 

 to disinfect with formalin or sulphur dioxide. These should be disin- 

 fected by steam under pressure. In such diseases as plague, diphtheria 

 and cholera, such articles should be destroyed by burning. Anyway, a sick 

 room should have' simple furniture and merely such articles as are ab- 

 solutely necessary and such as can be disinfected readily. 



The so-called carbo-gasoline method of book disinfection is highly 

 recommended. Immerse books, papers, clothing and other articles to be 

 disinfected for twenty minutes in the carbolized gasoline. Take from 

 the disinfecting solution and allow to dry in the open. The carbolized 

 gasoline consists of Baume 88 gasoline or gas machine gasoline to which 



