XX PUBLIC HEALTH AND PERSONAL HYGIENE 311 



strong chemical solutions, and fumigation. Clothing, 

 bed linen, and other things that can be washed may be 

 thoroughly disinfected by boiling or steaming. Articles 

 that cannot be submitted to such a treatment, and 

 excretions and drains, may be disinfected by using car- 

 bolic acid or corrosive sublimate. These are both very 

 dangerous poisons, and the utmost care should be exer- 

 cised in their use. Neither should be used in the pure 

 state, but must be diluted with water. One part of car- 

 bolic acid in from twenty to thirty parts of water makes 

 a very good general disinfectant. One part of corrosive 

 sublimate (bichloride of mercury) in from one thousand 

 to six thousand parts of water makes an excellent disin- 

 fectant for use in scrubbing woodwork, furniture, floors, 

 and walls, and it is often employed for soiled clothing 

 and excretions from the body. Many other chemicals 

 are used as disinfectants. After smallpox, diphtheria, 

 scarlet fever, and other highly communicable diseases 

 have been in a house, it should be thoroughly fumigated. 

 For this purpose formaldehyde is used almost entirely at 

 present, for it seems to be more satisfactory than any 

 other substance. The physician in charge, or the health 

 department, should take charge of the -fumigation and 

 see that it is effectively done. 



220. Personal Hygiene. The health, happiness, and 

 well-being of a person depend upon his sanitary sur- 

 roundings and personal habits of living. Both require 

 the careful attention of every individual. Public health 

 and general sanitation are indispensable conditions to 

 individual health, and, on the other hand, healthy indi- 



