DISEASES THAT SPREAD 315 



Carbolic acid, chloride of lime, permanganate of potash, sulphur, 

 formaldehyde (formalin gas), and various preparations made 

 from zinc, iron, and petroleum are the disinfectants which 

 are most used at the present time. 1 



There are also numerous varieties of commercial dis- 

 infectants now in popular use which the manufacturers 

 declare to be efficient germicides. 



430. Hints for the Prevention and Restriction of a Few of 

 the More Common Infectious Diseases. A few hints and 

 helps about the prevention and restriction of some of the 

 more common and dangerous infectious diseases should be 

 understood by every pupil in the elementary grades. 2 



431. Pneumonia. Pneumonia is believed to be spread 

 by a germ which is in the sputum of those who have the 

 disease. Care should always be taken to destroy or dis- 

 infect all sputa. 



432. Influenza. Influenza, commonly called "grip," is 

 now believed to be spread by a germ which finds its way 

 from infected handkerchiefs and other articles and places 

 into the nose, throat, and air passages of persons suscep- 

 tible to this disease. 



433. Consumption. Consumption is spread by the dust 

 of dried sputa and also by milk and meat of diseased cattle. 



1 Sulphur is an inexpensive, convenient, and satisfactory disinfectant. 

 The infected room is first tightly closed. The cracks about the windows 

 and doors are securely plugged with cotton or rags. The sulphur is put 

 into a metal dish which rests upon bricks in a tub containing an inch or 

 two of water. The sulphur, moistened with a little alcohol, is then ignited. 

 The room is quickly closed and should be kept closed twenty-four hours. 



2 The necessary limitations of an elementary text-book for schools do 

 not allow such a full treatment of the prevention and restriction of infec- 

 tious diseases and their disinfection as the subject deserves. For more 

 details, consult Conn's Bacteria, Yeasts, and Molds, Chapters XVI and XVII, 

 pp. 241-266. 



