AT OUR HOMES 235 



3. A solution of a pound of chloride of lime from a fresh) y opened can in 

 three gallons of water is perhaps the cheapest and most effective disinfectant 

 with which to treat for twenty minutes or more all excreta before it is thrown 

 out into sewer, privy, or cesspool. 



4. One of the best ways of freeing formaldehyde gas from formalin for 

 disinfecting purposes is to add crystals of permanganate of potash to the 

 formalin in the proportion of one-half pound per pint of the liquid. The 

 dish containing the formalin should be set in another and larger dish in case 

 there should be any overflow or spattering. 



The enormous losses annually by fires in the United States 

 constitutes a standing reflection upon the course of the Ameri- 

 can people in the conservation of their resources, and upon 

 their intelligence in not more effectively preventing these 

 wastes. From the long list of reported causes of fires it is 

 possible to ascribe an appalling number to heedlessness, and 

 to an indifference to life and property that well may be con- 

 sidered criminal. Closely akin to these is dishonesty and 

 incompetency in the construction and in the care of build- 

 ings. Painstaking efforts to avoid fires, and intelligent pre- 

 cautions against them, are elements of an enlightened citizen- 

 ship. The insurance rates necessarily charged to repay 

 losses by fire in the United States are a sad comment on the 

 thrift of people, and constitute no small burden upon the 

 occupants of buildings whether as owners or as tenants. 



While texts on human biology, and various books on what 

 to do in case of emergency, give information about burns and 

 their treatment, and how to alleviate suffering and to prevent 

 infection, no books or schools can insure persons against the 

 results of foolhardiness on their own part or on the part of 

 others. 



When kerosene is poured upon smoldering coals a large 

 amount of vapor is likely to form. This vapor mixed with 

 air is explosive, and requires only an ignition temperature to 

 result in flames that reach outward as far as the vapor has 

 diffused. The spread of the combustion throughout the 

 mixture is almost instantaneous. To use gasoline, benzine, 



