TROUBLESOME INSECTS. 135 



thirty-five cents per pint, while half this quantity when 

 added to water will make a washing-tub full of safe and 

 efficient flea-destroyer, and one that will keep indefinitely 

 without losing its strength. But this must not be con- 

 founded with the carbolic acid in common use, of which 

 there are several kinds. First comes the pure in the form 

 of white crystals, — so susceptible to moisture that they 

 soon fuse into a hard mass — then the carbolic acid 

 usually found in drug shops, which is at least one remove 

 from the first in the matter of purity, although the two 

 outwardly so closely resemble one another the differences 

 are scarcely appreciable. The next remove is a nearly 

 colorless liquid which is generally employed where large 

 quantities are needed to disinfect cesspools, sewers, etc. 

 After this appears the crude acid, the kind herein recom- 

 mended, a sirupy fluid of deep brownish color — nearly 

 black — and really only about one-half carbolic acid, the 

 most of the remaining ingredients being worthless sub- 

 stances. 



When diluting crude carbolic acid it is advisable to use 

 an alkali, and the common soap of the kitchen will an- 

 swer every purpose. One pound of this soap having first 

 been dissolved in about a gallon of hot water, half a pint 

 of carbolic acid should be added and thoroughly mixed 

 by vigorous stirring. Then the whole should be poured 

 into a tub or barrel holding about fifteen gallons of 

 water. 



The destroyer is now ready for use, and can be applied 

 with a sponge, or dogs can be dipped in it — in which 

 case care must be taken to prevent the solution from get- 

 ting into the mouth, nostrils or eyes. 



The duration of the bath should not be over half a min- 

 ute, and after being permitted to run about for five min- 

 utes the dogs should be dipped in a tubful of clean water. 



