CHAPTER XI. 
PRACTICAL DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION (HOUSE, 
PERSON, INSTRUMENTS, AND FOOD)—STERILIZATION 
OF MILK FOR FEEDING INFANTS. 
DISINFECTANTS AND METHODS OF DISINFECTION 
EMPLOYED IN THE HOUSE AND SICK-ROOM. 
Disinfection and Disinfectants. 
SUNLIGHT, pure air, and cleanliness are always very 
important agents in maintaining health and in protect- 
ing the body against many forms of illness. When, 
however, it becomes necessary to guard against such 
special dangers as accumulated filth or contagious dis- 
eases, disinfection is essential. In order that disinfec- 
tion shall afford complete protection it must be thorough, 
and perfect cleanliness is better, even in the presence of 
contagious disease, than filth with poor disinfection. 
Since all forms of fermentation, decomposition, and 
putrefaction, as well as the infectious and contagious 
diseases, are caused by micro-organisms, it is the object 
of disinfection to kill these. Decomposition and putre- 
faction should at all times be prevented by the imme- 
diate destruction or removal from the neighborhood of 
the dwelling of all useless putrescible substances. In 
order that as few articles as possible shall be exposed to 
the germs causing the contagious diseases and thus be- 
come carriers of infection, it is important that all arti- 
cles not necessary for immediate use in the care of the 
