172 PHARMACEUTICAL BACTERIOLOGY. 



as hand disinfectants (by the surgeon) because of the benumbing effects of 

 these chemicals, causing a lessening in the delicacy of touch. A i per cent, 

 solution of potassium permanganate is recommended as a disinfectant for 

 hands. In many hospitals nothing more than a thorough scrubbing with 

 green soap is employed for the hands of surgeons, with wholly satisfactory 

 results. 



Before entering the operating room the surgeon and attendants don steril- 

 ized gowns with hoods covering head, hair, and face (beard), leaving only 

 the mouth, nose and eyes free. The hands of the attendants are covered 

 with sterilized rubber gloves. 



d. The surgical instruments are washed and wiped dry; boiled for ten 

 minutes, in water with i per cent, soda, and laid in a tray containing 5 per cent, 

 carbolic acid solution. Before using, they are rinsed in boiled distilled water. 

 Never sterilize metallic instruments in corrosive sublimate, or in any corrosive 

 disinfectants of any kind. Only a short exposure would suffice to dull the 

 keen edge of knives, scalpels, and other cutting instruments. Do not sterilize 

 steel instruments in hot air as high temperatures reduce the temper, and do 

 not sterilize them with rubber goods. 



B. Sick Room Disinfection. — Disinfection in the sick room of a patient 

 afflicted with some communicable disease, may be divided into disinfection 

 of dejecta, urine and sputum; disinfection of the patient; disinfection of 

 clothing and bedding; disinfection of the sick room itself; and precautionary 

 disinfection of the attending physicians, nurses and attendants. In case of 

 fatal termination of the malady there is included disinfection after post- 

 mortem and sterilization of the dead body. In all cases, whether the 

 patient dies or recovers, the entire sick room, including bed, chairs, bedding, 

 etc., must be thoroughly disinfected. The methods of procedure may be 

 outlined as follows: 



a. Disinfection of Excreta. — To disinfect dejecta, urine and sputum, a 

 4 per cent, solution of chloride of lime or a 20 per cent, solution of milk of lime 

 will be found very efficient, using amounts of the disinfectants equal to the 

 bulk of the excreta to be disinfected, mixing well and allowing to stand for 

 one hour. The disinfectants are first placed in the vessels intended to receive 

 the excreta, more being added afterward if it is thought desirable. If 

 sputa and other excreta are received upon napkins or other cloth, these should 

 be burnt at once, or if that is not convenient they may be placed (entirely 

 immersed) in the disinfectant. For tuberculous sputum the chloride of lime 

 is best. Spit cups should be kept two-thirds full of the 4 per cent, solution. 

 Paper spit cups are to be destroyed by burning as soon as possible. 



Sulphate of copper (5 to 10 per cent, solution), or carbo-hydrochloric 

 acid solution (5 per cent, each of phenol and hydrochloric acid) may be 

 used in place of the chloride of lime and milk of lime. Bichloride of mercury 



