SOURCES OF INFECTION IN THE STABLE. 77 



investigations have shown, however, that the disinfecting 

 power of this agent is small even if it is allowed to act for 

 a long time. 



It is to be remembered that disinfection with chlorin 

 is generally more effective than an application of any dis- 

 infecting fluid, since the gas will be able to penetrate into 

 all the small cracks and crevices. 



The disinfection described is best made in the spring, 

 soon after the cows are let out on pasture. The wood- 

 work will then soon dry, and the whole summer may be 

 taken for the perfect airing of the stable an operation 

 which must not be neglected even if no disinfection is 

 made. If the stable is provided with a wooden floor, some 

 floor-planks should be taken up, so as to facilitate the 

 drying and cleaning of the space under the floor. The 

 stable-loft must also be aired in summer-time. 



Another good way to fight the bacterial growth gener- 

 ally so luxuriant in stables is to wash all woodwork with 

 warm coal-tar in the spring after the cleaning and airing. 

 If the floor in the stable is made of bowlders (which in 

 general must be considered unsuitable, however), all filthi- 

 ness between the stones must be carefully removed, the 

 interstices thoroughly soaked with a solution of chloride 

 of lime (one pound to six quarts of water), and the floor 

 leveled with new sand. If the stable is supplied with 

 earthen floor (which, also, for many reasons cannot be rec- 

 ommended), five to six inches of the upper layer ought to 

 be carted off, the underlying dirt wet with the chloride-of- 

 lime solution mentioned, and new dirt filled in. 



If this disinfection is made during the spring, all kinds 

 of carbolic-acid preparations may be used instead of the 

 chloride of lime; but disinfection with carbolic acid must 



