718 GENERAL THERAPEUTIC MEASURES 



by' constringing the afferent vessels. Tissue cliange i^ 

 increased by moderate heat, but decreased by cold applied 

 locally, or generally in fever. Swelling of tissue is reduced 

 by cold directly ; only indirectly by heat, which may, indeed, 

 increase it. Softening and sloughing of parts, suppuration 

 and "ripening" of abscesses and "cleaning off" of wounds, 

 are facilitated by moderate heat, but hindered by cold. 



Disinfectants, Antiseptics and Deodorants. 



Disinfectants, or germicides, are agents which destroy 

 the micro-organisms, causing infectious and contagious dis- 

 eases, fermentation and putrefaction. Antiseptics are agents 

 which prevent the growth eind development of the micro- 

 organisms, occasioning fermentation, putrefaction and dis- 

 ease; more especially the micrococci producing suppuration. 



Deodorizers, or deodorants, are agents which destroy 

 or counteract a foul odor. They are not necessarily anti- 

 septic or disinfectants. Considerable confusion exists in 

 relation to the terms disinfectant and antiseptic, because the 

 latter is often described as an agent which inhibits the 

 growth, or destroys the life of the micro-organisms of fer- 

 mentation, putrefaction, and disease. This definition makes 

 antiseptics synonymous with disinfectants. The distinction 

 exists, however, according to common usage, that while dis- 

 infectants may, in dilution, act as antiseptics, antiseptics are 

 not often disinfectants, and in the nature of things are not 

 strong enough to kill germs, although they may hinder their 

 growth. Antiseptics may then be regarded as a subdivision 

 of disinfectants. The two terms are unnecessary and mis- 

 leading, as either might embrace both interference with the 

 growth and destruction of micro-organisms. Disinfection 

 may fall short of sterilization ; i. e., death of all germs. 

 Boiling a fluid containing micro-organisms wholly kills 

 them ; but, while disinfectants may destroy the germs of 

 disease, they often fail to kill more resistant and harmless 

 organisms, as the spores of B. subtilis. 



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