PRESERVATIVES AND DISINFECTANTS 37 



Carbolic acid is a strong poison and must be used with 

 care. It can be mixed with water for washing out cup- 

 boards and mopping floors during house-cleaning. Three 

 or four drops in a teaspoonful of water may be used for 

 washing lingering sores on animals or man. When mixed 

 with vaseline it is good for killing germs in sores. 



Sulphur is easy to use, but not very effective. It 

 will not kill bacteria in the spore form, that is, in the 

 form in which they are dry like dust and lie in the 

 cracks and corners or float about in the air. The sulphur 

 dioxide formed by burning sulphur requires the presence 

 of moisture to kill germs. To fumigate a room or build- 

 ing with sulphur, close all openings as tightly as possible. 

 Place in the middle of the room a large vessel with a few 

 inches of water in the bottom, and in the center place a 

 couple of bricks on edge so that they extend out of the 

 water. Put a pound or two of powdered sulphur in an 

 iron vessel and set it on these bricks. Place a piece of 

 paper soaked in alcohol or oil down into the sulphur, 

 allowing the end to extend out above the sulphur. Now 

 open all the closets and drawers in the room and light the 

 paper, leave the room, and close the door. After several 

 hours the room can be opened and aired. Do not use 

 the room until the sulphur smell is gone. 



Formaldehyde is a very dangerous poison, but is one 

 of the most powerful disinfectants. It is used by bar- 

 bers, dentists, and physicians for disinfecting tools and 

 instruments. The tools may be dipped into a weak 

 solution or laid in a closed case filled with formalin gas 

 or vapor. It may be used in water-closets and sick-rooms. 

 Formaldehyde candles are used to fumigate sick-rooms 

 in much the same way as sulphur. 



For personal disinfection soap and water will remove 



