SKIN DISINFECTION AND WOUND INFECTION. 
515 
of the treated skin were then removed with sterile instruments 
and placed in tubes of bouillon and liquid agar, from which plate 
cultures were made. The pieces of skin taken were about one 
centimeter square. The disinfectants used, together with the 
results of the examinations, are given in the appended table. 
TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OE DISINFECTANTS AS INDICATED BY 
THE NUMBER OF COLONIES WHICH DEVELOPED ON AGAR PLATES MADE 
FROM PIECES OF SKIN FROM AREAS TREATED WITH THE DIFFERENT DIS¬ 
INFECTANTS : 
Disinfectants. 
Number of cases 
that gave sterile 
plates. 
Number of cases 
with few (5 to 30) 
colonies. 
Number of cases 
where colonies 
were numerous 
or very many. 
Total. 
5 per cent, carbolic acid . . 
3 per cent, permanganate of 
2 
3 
5 
IO 
potassium. 
O 
1 
9 
IO 
3 per cent, lysol . 
O 
1 
9 
IO 
33 per cent. Sanitas .... 
2 Y2 per cent, chloro-naptho- 
O 
4 
6 
IO 
leum. 
1-1000 per cent, bichloride of 
O 
2 
8 
IO 
mercury, aq. sol. 
1-500 per cent, bichloride of 
O 
1 
9 
IO 
mercury, aq. sol. 
1-1000 per cent, bichloride of 
O 
1 
9 
IO 
mercury, ale. sol. 
1-500 per cent, bichloride of 
I 
1 
8 
IO 
mercury, ale. sol. 
2 
0 
8 
IO 
Check. 
O 
0 
10 
IO 
A study of the cultures showed the interesting fact that 
8b per cent, of those made from the fields treated with 5 per 
cent, carbolic acid and alcoholic solutions of corrosive subli¬ 
mate did not contain micrococci and streptococci. The bacilli 
were not appreciably affected. With the other disinfectants 
used there was no apparent destruction of the micrococci and 
streptococci. It is of interest to add that of the seven species 
