DISINFECTANTS HOW MOST EFFECTIVE. 



VARIOUS CONDITIONS MODIFY THE POWER OF 

 DISINFECTANTS. 



I- — The kind of bacteria we wish to destroy. Conditions 

 Some are more difficult to kill or to render Modifying the 

 powerless to do mischief than others. Spores DSectants. 

 are found much harder to deal with, as was 

 spoken of in describing their formation, than 

 the bacteria from which they spring. 



II. — The number of bacteria to be destroyed. 

 If a large number are present more of the solu- 

 tion is necessary than for a small number. 

 Completely saturate the mass always, for what- 

 ever number. 



III. — The temperature and strength of the 

 solution. Hot disinfectants are more effective 

 than warm or cold disinfectants; in fact, all 

 disinfectants should he used hot. 



IV. — Material with which a solution may 

 come in contact. If some disinfectants come 

 in contact with organic matter, they are rend- 

 ered of little or no value thereby. The writer 

 remembers seeing a pupil nurse sent three times 

 to empty out and prepare anew a disinfectant p^^ Assistant's 

 solution because an assistant put his soiled Mistake, 

 finger into the first two, in order to test the 

 temperature, and was about to make the same 

 blunder a third time when prevented by the 

 whispered admonition of the head nurse. The 

 lesson is plain. 



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