The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-07


perintendentS Of places of public resort,
railroad depots, ferries, hotels, and public
institutions, and to the masters of ships and
steamboats,, and the conductors of passen-
ger trains throughout this continent !; be-
lieving, as we do, that by the timely and con-
tinued applications of these measures the
prevalence of cholera may be prevented.
But let the fact be remembered that there
can be no substitutes for thorough cleans
ing and fresh air.
RULES AND METHODS OF DIsINFECTIoN.
For Pripies, Water Closets, DRAINS, and
iSe,oers Eight or ten pounds of sulphate
of iron (copperas) dissolved in five or six
gallons of water, with half pint of crude
carbolic acid added to the solution and
briskly stirred, makes the cheapest and
best disinfecting fluid for common use.
1t can be procured in every town and by
any family, and if the carbolic acid is
not at hand the solution of copperas may
be used without it. e.lg.B
10 PreUent Pyiuies and Water Closets
from Becoming Infected or Ofensioe !:
Pour pint Of this strong solution into
every water-closet pan or privy-seat once
or twice a day. ~ ....5
TO Disinfect Masses Of Flnh Priey-
VauNs, SeUers, and Drains: Gradually
pour in this solution until it reaches and
disinfects all the foul material.
For the chdmber-Uessels used by The sick,
and for the disinfection of ground upon
which any excremental matter has been
cast away, use the solution of copperas and
carbolic acid and for disinfecting ertensiUe
masses or surfaces of p,trescea materials,
and for drains, seaoers, and bitches, this
disinfecting fluid may be used, or the "dead
oil'' t' heavy oil'') of coal-tar, or coal.tar
itself coal-tar may be used as paint upon
the walls of cellars, stables, and open
drains. d Fr#E Ff ...aI5
Other disnfectants, such as the solu-
tons of sesquichloride of iron, or of
chloride Of zinc, are effectual in privies
and drains, and upon foul surfaces and
offensive materials.
Quick-lime is useful as an absorbent and
dryer upon foul walls and in damp places
and embarrassing with itshould be practised
in common tenements, factories, Easements,
closets, and ga!rets. ...-..-.
To disinfect the clothing or bedding de-
filed in any manner by excremental mat
ters from the sick, throw them into solu-
ton made as follows: One pound of sui
phate of zinc to six or eight gallons of
water, to which add two or three ounces of
pure and strong carbolic acid-such articles
to remain therein at least half an hour
then Immediately place them in boiling
water. and continue boiling. If the acid is
not at hand, then use the solution of zinc
in water. The same disinfecting solution
is excellent for bed-pans and chamber
vessels, and for soiled floors Or defiled sur
faces.
Apartments, bedding, and upholstery
that have been used by the sick with
cholera or diarrhea should be thoroughly
cleansed and disinfected. "| a"E
AND DUTIES TO BE OBJ
SERVED. sss-sst -a
l. That thorough cleanliness, domestic
and civic, and an abundant supply of pure
apater are essential means Of preventing
cholera in any household when the disease is
near.
2. That general cleansing, scavenging,
and disinfection should be attended to in
every city and town before cholera makes
its appearance; and that wherever it does
appear. that house and the exposed premi-
ses should be kept constantly disinfected.
3. That whatever differences of opinion
there may be respecting the epidemic phe-
nomena ofdifferent periods, the paramount
importance of thorough cleanliness and dis
infection is to be kept in mind and that, in
the words of the Chief Medical Officer of
Great Britain: "It appears to be charac-
teristic of cholera, not only Of the disease
in its developed and alarming form, but
equally of the slightest darrhea which the
epidemic can produce that all matters
aol,ich the patient discharges from his stona-
ach and 6oavels are infectiUe; that the pa
TENTS power of injecting other
persons is represented almost or quite
exclusively by those discharges
that they are comparatively non-infective at
the moment they are discharged, but after
wards when undergoing decomposition, ac-
ouire their maximum infective power; and
that if they be cast a,cay aoithout precious
dismfeetio1 they impart their own infective
quality to the excTemental matters with
which they mingle in tilth-sodden earth, or
in repositories and conduits Of filth, and
to the efluyia which those excremental
matters evolve; that if the infectiye
material, by leakage or soakage from
drains or cesspools, Or otherwise,
gets access, even in the smallest
quantity, directly, or through porous soil, to
tOtuS VI OtIieF SOuTCcS Ol ufEIhHy UutcF, IL
can infect in the most dangerous manner
very large volumes of the water; that the in
fective influence of the choleraic discharges
attaches to whatever bedding, clothing, and
like things have been imbued with them,
and renders these things, if not disinfected,
capable of spreading the disease" -
4. Cleansing and purity, skllful dsiniec-
ton, temperate habits, and wholesome diet,
with pure water and fresh air, are the
trusted and sure means Of health and secu-
rity in all places and for all classes of peo-
pie when exposed to the causes of cholera.
The watchword against this destructive
enemy should be. remove the local causes
that favor the propagation of cholera, and
wherever it appears let its germs be quickly
stamped out by powerful disinfectants and
special cleansing.
From being the most feared and destruc-
tive pestilence, cholera has become en-
tirely submissive to sanitary measures of
prevention, and can now be controlled with
such certainty and completeness as to
prevent its ravages as an epidemic. Beliey-
ing, therefore, that the people Of the United
States will wisely apply the suggestions
which are given in this menaorandiin, the
undersigned committee presents them for
the purpose of hastening and making sure
the most extensive, thorough, and speedy
control of this destroyer er7
STEPHEN SMITH. M, D.. New York,