CHAPTER XVII 



DISINFECTION 



In every household the problem of disinfection is sure 

 to arise in connection with contagious diseases, and it is 

 a question of more or less serious import according to the 

 seriousness of the disease and the number of inmates in 

 the house. The purpose of all disinfection is to prevent 

 the spread of contagious diseases from one person to 

 another. Hence it is desired to destroy the microorgan- 

 isms which cause the disease. If this can be done there 

 will be no chance of contagion, but until it is done there 

 is always a possibility that a healthy person may contract 

 disease by coming in contact with the germs. 



In connection with the treatment of infected material 

 two terms are frequently confused. An antiseptic is a 

 material or a treatment which checks the growth of bac- 

 teria, though it does not necessarily kill them all. It 

 may prevent their development without destroying their 

 life. The term germicide, when properly used, refers 

 to treatment which totally destroys all microorganisms. 

 The agents which are used as antiseptics are also 

 commonly capable of acting as germicides if they are 

 used in larger quantities, and, on the other hand, germi- 

 cidal substances may be only antiseptic if used in small 

 quantities. 



In considering the question of disinfection in the 

 household there are always two important questions to 



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