ANTISEPTICS, DISINFECTANTS, AND GERMICIDES 61 



stricted to substances which without germicidal action 

 simply disguise or destroy odors. 



Sterilization is the destruction of bacteria and their 

 spores by heat or other means. 



Heat. Where applicable, heat is the most efficient 

 disinfectant we have. There are, however, many things 

 which cannot be subjected to boiling, high dry heat, or 

 the open flame. 



Steam is the most general means of employing heat. 

 Surgical dressings, cotton, gauze, bandages, gowns, 

 caps, face-masks, etc., are best sterilized by means of 

 steam in a properly constructed apparatus or sterilizer. 



Superheated steam (i. e., steam underpressure) is more 

 efficient and more rapid in action, but the ordinary 

 sterilizer does not take advantage of this principle, and 

 more time must, therefore, be allowed than in the press- 

 ure apparatus. One hour is considered sufficient for 

 the sterilization of ordinary dressings, gowns, etc., with 

 the low-pressure sterilizer, while half that time is suffi- 

 cient with the high-pressure apparatus. 



DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS 



Mercuric Chlorid. Bichlorid of mercury is a corrosive 

 poison, usually supplied in tablets which are colored 

 blue. It is probably the most used of all germicides. 

 It is used in solutions of i : 1000 to i : 5000 strength. 

 Its most useful field is in the disinfection of hands, the 

 site of operation, and elsewhere on the unbroken skin. 



