292 BACTERIA, YEASTS, AND MOLDS 



and may be employed for soaking blankets and other 

 articles not injured by water. The blankets should be 

 placed in a tub, the tub filled with water, and formalin 

 added in the proportion mentioned above, or even as 

 strong as one quarter of a pint of formalin to ten gal- 

 Ions of water. A soaking in such a solution will be a 

 thorough disinfection. For heavier articles like mat- 

 tresses and comfortables, which cannot be soaked, complete 

 sterilization is diiHcult. If there are at hand facilities for 

 steaming, these articles may be disinfected in that way ; but 

 this is never possible at home, and can only be done by 

 health boards. Mattresses in particular are difficult to 

 disinfect and cannot be rendered perfectly safe. They may, 

 however, be protected considerably by covering them with a 

 rubber blanket, which will prevent their becoming contami- 

 nated. Whenever possible, one should use an old mattress 

 of little value on the bed of a contagious patient, so that it 

 can subsequently be destroyed. At present, however, health 

 authorities recommend sunning and airing for disinfecting 

 mattresses, rugs, and heavy bedding. Exposure to the sun 

 and air for four successive days seems to be as efficient as 

 more expensive methods of sterilizing. Disease bacteria 

 ordinarily die when dried, and are quickly killed by sunlight. 



Treatment of the Sick Room 



While occupied. A room in which there is a case of 

 contagious disease is, under the very best circumstances, 

 a source of danger to all persons within the house, and it 

 must be most carefully guarded to protect the other mem- 

 bers of the family from danger. The treatment of the 

 room during its occupancy and after its vacation must be 



