322 GENERAL SCIENCE 



Care of Wounds. All wounds should be washed with a disin- 

 fectant before being " tied up." After bandaging a wound, watch 

 it carefully, for at the first sign of inflammation it must be opened 

 and disinfected. The slightest pricks, scratches, cuts and burns, 

 if not properly attended to, may develop cases of blood poisoning. 

 The following disinfectants may be used for treating infected wounds 

 and sores: 



Hydrogen Peroxide, Boric acid, Iodine, a weak solution of Car- 

 bolic acid, Carbolic salve, Lysol, Bichloride of Mercury, Turpen- 

 tine, and warm salt solution. 



Great care should be taken when hydrogen peroxide is used as a 

 disinfectant. The oxygen set free from the solution destroys not only 

 the bacteria but the cells in the wounded flesh. The wound should 

 not be closed up with hydrogen peroxide or dioxide in it because de- 

 cay of the flesh may take place, causing a great deal of trouble. 



Disinfectants. A disinfectant is an agent which destroys disease 

 germs. 



It is necessary to use disinfectants around water-closets and sinks. 

 Chloride of lime is a cheap and powerful disinfectant for this purpose. 



Infected articles of little value, and cloths and papers containing 

 sputum, may be disposed of by burning. Boiling or sterilizing is an 

 effective way to kill germs. 



Most of our chemical disinfectants are so poisonous that great 

 care must be exercised not to use them internally by mistake. 



Disinfectants must be used in all cases of contagious diseases. 

 Discharges from the patient must be received in a strong disinfectant, 

 and everything that comes in contact with the patient must be dis- 

 infected or sterilized. 



Bichloride of mercury is an excellent disinfectant for the hands, 

 and for washing woodwork and furniture. It must not be used 

 on metal. It is not used in cases of intestinal disease. 



Carbolic acid in five per cent solution is good for almost any 

 purpose. 



There are many commercial disinfectants, as Lysol, Creoline, etc., 

 which may be used under direction of the doctor. 



Burning of substances in a sick room to kill unpleasant odors 

 does not necessarily kill germs. 



