PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL AGENTS 41 



In all cases the disinfecting solution should be 

 double the excreta in bulk, and the mixture, closely 

 covered, be allowed to stand some time before 

 emptying. 



All vessels used for stools, sputum, and vomit 

 should be washed in carbolic acid 5 per cent, fol- 

 lowed by scrubbing in hot soapsuds and by boiling 

 inysoda solution 3 per cent. 

 \/ Clothing. — Bed and body linen, towels, napkins, 

 wash curtains, bureau and stand covers, soak in 

 cold carbol-soap solution (p. 39) for two hours, 

 rinse in clear cold water, and put into the laundry. 



Woolen garments, unless badly infected, may 

 be fumigated with formaldehyde followed by ex- 

 posure to sunlight. Otherwise, heavy garments, 

 carpets, rugs, furs, woolen curtains, together with 

 children's playthings and books, should be put into 

 compact bundles wrapped in cloths wet in carbolic 

 acid 5 per cent, or bichloride of mercury 1 : 1000, 

 and burned in a furnace.^ 



Utensils. — Dishes and silver may be boiled for 

 20 minutes in soda solution 5 per cent, also wash- 

 basins and other toilet dishes, besides all surgical 

 instruments, nail files, and manicure scissors. 



1 In the light of more recent experiments the necessity for 

 the complete destruction of such articles is disputed. 



