33 
I Ko. 5G. 
■ Two and seven-tenths centimeters per square foot, sprinkled, muslin, 
I seventy- two hours. 
Four cubic centimeters formalin sprinkled on sheet at bottom of a 
I 
I box 15 by 15 by 15 inches. Fresh moist cultures on slips of filter i)aper 
placed between layers of muslin, three days’ exposure. 
Layers. 
Typhoid. 
Diph- 
theria. 
Subtilis 
spores. 
10 

-h 
20 
-f 
— 
-f 
30 
-f 
— 
-H 
40 
+ 
— 
-U 
50 
-I- 
-t- 
-i- 
Controls 
-f 
-f 
U- 
CONCLUSIONS. 
Large quantities of formalin poured on absorbent material in the 
corners of or suspended in a box have practically no disinfecting power 
between layers of blankets or sheets, even after five days’ exposure. 
Tlie formalin neither evaporates nor liberates its formaldehyd in a 
closed container at ordinary temperatures (18 to 25° C.) in twenty-four 
hours. 
In two to five days the fluid will evaporate, but the formaldehyd is 
dejmsited as paraform on the spot where it was poured. 
This method of pouring the formalin on absorbent material is there- 
fore totally inapplicable to the disinfection of baggage, in a closed 
container. 
Spi'inkling formalin on baggage in a trunk or box may be depended 
upon to kill nonspore-beariug organisms, such as typhoid and diphtheria, 
through 3 layers of blankets. 
The method, however, is not a reliable one unless a sufficient quantity 
of formalin is sprinkled in small drojjs uniformly over the surface and 
between many layers. 
It can not be depended upon to kill anthrax spores through 1 layer 
of blanket. 
Formaldehyd is given off from its aqueous solution in very small 
amounts at ordinary temperatures. 
The evaporation of the solution in a closed container is slow and uncer- 
tain. 
In using this method, therefore, great care must be exercised to sprinkle 
the formalin uniformly, and in small drops. It is best to keep the con- 
tainer in a warm place to facilitate the evolution of the gas. 
Use not less than 4 c. c. of formalin, containing 40 per cent formal- 
dehyd, over every square foot of surface between every third layer of 
3 
