APPLICATION OF DISINFECTANTS 289 



tarry odor and forming a milky solution when diluted in 

 water. They are very powerful disinfectants even when 

 many times diluted, and are harmless to the skin unless 

 applied too strong. They are, therefore, much better than 

 any of the germicides just listed for disinfecting hands or 

 for application to scratches and cuts in the skin. Their 

 only disadvantages are that they have a strong odor and 

 that they stain clothing which is disinfected in them. 



Other Skin Disinfectants. Iodine has been used for 

 years to disinfect small skin wounds, and is still favored 

 by many physicians. It is so irritating, however, that a 

 search has been made for something to take its place. 

 Two proprietary disinfectants which are designed for just 

 such usage are now on the market. Both are dyes, one 

 yeUow (acriflavine), the other red (mercurochrome). Neither 

 is quite as effective as iodine; but for the treatment of 

 minor skin injuries they are undoubtedly satisfactory, and 

 are much more popular than iodine, as their use is not 

 painful. Like iodine they stain the skin, a fact which is 

 often of advantage to the physician, as it shows just what 

 area has been covered with the disinfectant. A disinfect- 

 ant of this type, therefore, is often used before vaccination 

 or before making a hj^jodermic injection. 



Application of Disinfectants 



In determining the application of disinfectants two ques- 

 tions arise : (i) Where should the disinfectant be applied? 

 (2) What is the proper disinfectant to apply? In most 

 problems that confront the household there is little diffi- 

 culty in determining the place where the disinfectant 



