DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION. 189 
time involved, formaldehyde gas, generated from com- 
mercial formalin, is not much more expensive than 
sulphur dioxide—viz., fifteen to thirty cents per 1000 
cubic feet against ten cents with sulphur. Therefore, 
we believe that formaldehyde gas is the best disinfect- 
ant at present known for the surface disinfection of 
infected dwellings. For heavy goods it is far inferior 
in penetrative power to steam; but for the disinfection 
of fine wearing apparel, furs, leather, upholstery, books, 
and the like, which are injured by great heat, it is, 
when properly employed, better adapted than any other 
disinfectant now in use. 
Sulphur Dioxide in House Disinfection. Four pounds 
of sulphur should be burned for every 1000 cubic feet. 
The sulphur should be broken into small pieces and 
put in a pan sufficiently large not to allow the melted 
sulphur to overflow. This pan is placed in a much 
larger pan holding a little water. The cracks of the 
room should be carefully pasted up and the door, after 
closing, also sealed. Upon the broken sulphur is poured 
three to four ounces of alcohol and the whole lighted 
by a match. The alcohol is not only for the purpose 
of aiding the sulphur to ignite, but also to add moisture 
tothe air. An exposure of eight to twelve hours should 
be given. 
Sulphur fumigation carried out as above indicated is 
not as efficient as formaldehyde fumigation, but seems 
to suffice for surface disinfection for diphtheria and the 
exanthemata. All heavy goods should be removed 
for steam disinfection if there is any possibility of the 
infection having penetrated beneath their surface. If 
there is no place for steam disinfection their surfaces 
should be thoroughly exposed to fumigation and then to 
