DISINFECTION OF ROOMS AND HOUSES 55 



Tuberculous Sputum. Perhaps nothing is so impor- 

 tant as the disinfection of tuberculous sputum, as it is 

 the chief means of the transmission of tuberculosis. 

 It should be received preferably in a pasteboard cup 

 within a metal holder, the former being burned. It 

 may be caught in metal or agate cups containing car- 

 bolic or milk of lime solution. If caught in handker- 

 chiefs they should be burned. The hands must be 

 washed in a disinfectant after catching sputum in a 

 handkerchief. 



Fia. 20 



Sanitary spit-cups 



Water-closets and Sinks. They should not receive 

 infective materials until these shall have been thor- 

 oughly disinfected. To disinfect sinks and water- 

 closets, chlorinated lime, cresols, and carbolic acid are 

 the best. 



Disinfection of Rooms and Houses. The disinfection 

 of rooms and their contents, while not necessarily the 

 nurse's duty, deserves some mention. In case of 



