DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION. 193 
using the nail-brush. They are then soaked in alcohol 
for one minute and scrubbed with a sterile brush. 
They are finally soaked in a 1: 1000 bichloride of mer- 
cury solution for three minutes. 
Sterilized rubber gloves are now being used more 
and more in operations. The gloves can be sterilized 
by being left for one minute in boiling 1 per cent. soda 
solution, or they can be sterilized by steam. 
The surgeon’s gowns and caps are sterilized by steam. 
Mucous membranes, as those of the mouth and throat, 
are cleansed by a solution consisting of equal parts of 
peroxide of hydrogen and lime-water. In the nostrils 
it is better to employ the milder solutions, such as 
diluted Dobell’s or listerine. These are also used in 
the mouth instead of the peroxide. 
The vagina is swabbed out thoroughly with sterile 
warm soap and water and then irrigated with a 2 per 
cent. carbolic acid or a 1: 1000 bichloride of mercury 
solution. 
Hypodermic syringes and other syringes are steril- 
ized by drawing up into them boiling water a number 
of times and then finally a 5 per cent. solution of car- 
bolic acid, the acid after three minutes to be washed 
out by boiling water. If cold water is used the car- 
bolic solution should remain in the barrel for ten min- 
utes. Great care should be taken to wash out all pos- 
sible matter before using the carbolic acid to sterilize. 
Syringes made entirely of glass or of glass and asbestos 
can be boiled in soda solution. 
THE STERILIZATION OF MILK. 
Bacteria when allowed to develop in milk produce 
fermentation (souring) and render the milk unfit to 
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