434 BACTERIOLOGY. 



parts of the walls, from the doors and from the 

 floors. After the sick-room is vacated or after 

 death has occurred, it is best to leave the room 

 undisturbed for some days in order that the 

 germs in the air may settle down. Then the 

 dust may be removed from the floor and the 

 lower part of the walls with a moist cloth ; 

 after that, if need be, the floor and woodwork 

 may be wiped with a disinfectant. Carpets 

 may be cleaned with bread ; the particles of 

 dirt and the bread-crumbs that fall oft 7 should 

 be carefully taken up in a moist condition and 

 burned ; calcimined walls are to be covered 

 with a fresh coat of lime-wash when it is neces- 

 sary. The best means of disinfection however 

 are always to be found in light and air. Pure 

 outer air attenuates to a state of impotency the 

 germs present in a room. He who success- 

 fully attacks the dread of light and fresh air, 

 and effects corresponding improvements in 

 building construction, accomplishes more for 

 an effectual disinfection than he who torments 

 himself with the ordinary methods .of disinfec- 

 tion and the inundation of dwellings with dis- 

 infectants. 



Again, in the separation of the sick from the 

 well we often overshoot the mark, and the com- 

 pulsory conveyance of the sick from dwelling- 

 place to hospital is frequently very injurious. 



