DISINFECTANTS AND DISINFECTION. 1 75 



ient containers may be employed, using 15 ounces to each looo cubic feet. 

 Open the can by means of a can opener, set it in a pan or dish and allow the 

 gas to evaporate. 



Remember that the sulphur dioxide corrodes metal, bleaches clothing, 

 hangings and draperies and, with formalin, is without disinfecting power 

 in the absence of moisture. 



After the disinfection with formalin or sulphur dioxide is completed, 

 it is often desirable to go over the floors, furniture, bed frames, etc., with a 

 i-iooo bichloride of mercury solution. • 



Mattresses, heavy quilts, pillows and furniture cushions are difi&cult to 

 disinfect with formalin or sulphur dioxide. These should be disinfected by 

 steam under pressure. In such diseases as plague, diphtheria and cholera, 

 such articles should be destroyed by burning. Anyway, a sick room should 

 have simple furniture and merely such articles as are absolutely necessary 

 and such as can be disinfected readily. 



The so-called carbo-gasoline method of book disinfection is highly rec- 

 ommended. Immerse books, papers, clothing and other articles to be 

 disinfected for twenty minutes in the carbolized gasoline. Take from the 

 disinfecting solution and allow to dry in the open. The carbolized gasoline 

 consists of Baume 88° gasoline or gas machine gasoline to which 2 per cent, 

 of carbolic acid is added. No injury is done to the books or clothing, 

 provided they are carefully handled until dry. Gasoline will, however, In- 

 jure oil paint lettering, etc. 



D. Postmortem Disinfection and Sterilization of Cadaver. — ^After autopsies 

 on bodies after infectious disease, thorough disinfection must be resorted to. 

 A liberal use of a 4 per cent, solution of calcic hypochlorite, allowing this to 

 act for at least one hour, will serve the purpose. 



In cases of death from contagious diseases all orifices of the body should 

 be packed with cotton well soaked in a 1-500 bichloride solution. The 

 entire body should be washed with a i-iooo bichloride solution. Crema- 

 tion is desirable and the funeral should be private. 



The so-caUed embalming fluids of funeral directors are aqueous solutions 

 of various chemical disinfectants, having corrosive sublimate and formalin 

 as the chief ingredients. The following formula is said to have the approval 

 of the National Funeral Directors Association of the United States: 



Formalin (40 per cent.), 11 lb. 



Glycerin, 4 lb. 



Borax, 2.5 lb. 



Boric acid, i lb. 



Potassium nitrate, 2 . 5 lb. 



Solution of eosin (i per cent.), i oz. 



Water, to make 10 gal. 



