Instructions for disinfection : based on the circular of the National Board of Health / Connecticut State Board of Health, 1884.

  • Connecticut. State Board of Health.
Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Instructions for disinfection : based on the circular of the National Board of Health / Connecticut State Board of Health, 1884. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    more readily destructible by disinfectants. It has been found that the disinfection from the fumes of burning sulphur is more com- plete when the air of the room has previously been rendered moist. DISINFECTANTS. 1. Sulphur; roll sulphur, broken in small pieces, is the best form to use for burning. 2. Sulphate of iron (copperas), dissolved in water, iu the pro- portion of one and a half pounds to the gallon; for water closets, sewers, yards, stables, etc. 3. Sulphate of zinc and common salt, dissolved in water in the proportion of four ounces sulphate and two ounces salt to the gallon; for clothing, bed linen, and cotton goods. 4. Heat is the best disinfectant known thus far. The Board would advise cities and towns to purchase furnaces made for this purpose, to be used in connection with laundries, for the sole pur- pose of disinfection; the destruction of many articles would thus be avoided. A temperature of at least 240° is required. For rooms in dwelling houses fumigation by the sulphur process is the best. For common use, and especially for domestic use for the house and its surroundings, the first three on the list are unqualifiedly recommended as reliable, efficient, and inexpensive. SUPPLEMENTARY LIST. 1. The bichloride of mercury dissolved in water, one part to two thousand, has recently been shown to be the most efficient agent to arrest putrefaction, and destroy low organisms and their germs. It is the most powerful germicide known. It is useful in disinfecting the excretions, especially those from the kidneys and bowels. Bichlo- ride of mercury or corrosive sublimate is an active poison, and must be used intelligently, and with care. The dilute solution is not par- ticularly dangerous, but for domestic use the zinc solution is prefer- able. 2. Solution of chloride of zinc, one part liquor zinci chloridi to 200 of water, and solutions of the nitrate of lead, of varying strength, are useful for sinks, waste basins, sewers, and the like. Chlorinated soda and permanganate of potash are useful disinfectants. Caustic lime