174 BACTERIOLOGY. 
5. The Sputum from Consumptive Patients. The im- 
portance of the proper disinfection of the sputum from 
consumptive patients is still underestimated. Con- 
sumption is an infectious disease, and is always the 
result of transmission from the sick to the healthy or 
from animals to man. The sputum contains the germs 
which cause the disease, and in a large proportion of 
cases is the source of infection. After being discharged, 
unless properly disposed of, it may become dry and pul- 
verized and float in the air as dust. This dust con- 
tains the germs, and is a common cause of the disease, 
through inhalation. In all cases, therefore, the sputum 
should be disinfected when discharged. It should be 
received in covered cups containing the carbolic or milk 
of lime solution. Handkerchiefs soiled by it should be 
soaked in the carbolic solution and then boiled. Dust 
from the walls, mouldings, pictures, etc., in rooms that 
have been occupied by consumptive patients, where the 
rules of cleanliness have not been carried out, contain 
the germs and will produce tuberculosis in animals when 
used for their inoculation; therefore, rooms should be 
thoroughly disinfected before they are again occupied. 
If the sputum of all consumptive patients were de- 
stroyed at once when discharged a large proportion of 
the cases of the disease would be prevented. 
6. Closets, Kitchen and Hallway Sinks, etc. The closet 
should never be used for infected discharges until they 
have been thoroughly disinfected, if it can be avoided; 
if done, one pint of carbolic solution should be poured 
into the pan (after it is emptied) and allowed to remain 
there. Sinks should be flushed at least once daily. 
7. Dishes, Knives, Forks, Spoons, etc., used by a patient 
should, as a rule, be kept for his exclusive use and not 
