The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-19
pIs1NPEorANr SUGGESTIONS.

The Iowa State Board of Health has adopt
ed the standard preparations for disinfectants
recommended by the American Health Asso-
citation. These are, first. choloride of lime,
four ounces, dissolved in gallon Of soft
water. This is useful for the disinfection of
excreta, which, in typhoid cases, should be
covered with this fluid and then buried in the
ground, far from we'll or water supply. Sec
ond, Tabonoque's solution Of chlorivated soda,
one pint in five Of water. This may be used
for the same purpose as the above. and also
for attendants to wash their towels, the furni-
ture and fixtures of the sick-room or house.
To remove bad odor from rain water it is adj
vised to use drachm Of permanganate. Of pot
ash to gallon of water. A little of this solu-
ton will remove the bad odor from tub Of
foul cistern water. There is no better disin-
fectant for clothing, if used freely. The only
objection is the purple stain it imparts.
The cheapest and one of the most efficient
disinfectants for sink pipes, water-closets, ash
and refuse pits, cesspools, drains, and vessels
used for reception of discharges from the sick
is sulphate of iron (copperas green vitrioD,
two pounds to the gallon of water or sixty
pounds in a barrel of water, as advised by the
Indiana State Board of Health A barrel of
this preparation costs less than two dollars,
and may be used extensively and safely on
floors, yards entries, cellars, stables and gut
ters These cheap disinfectants, thoroughly
used, with the aid Of abundant sunlight, fresh
air, soap and water and abundant scrubbing
and washing will go far towards making
dangerous room or house safe without the use
of the more poisonous disinfectants, as corro-
sive sublimate The latter is one of the most
powerful antiseptics known, and its skillful
use is revolutionizing modern surgery, MAX
ing operations safe that were formerly regard
ed almost universally fatal But it is dan
gerous poison, and should be used with care.
The State boards recommend it, an ounce to
the gallon Of water. It is used to disinfect
clothing and bedding by boiling them for
half an hour in water which has an ounce of
the fluid to the gallon.
Sulphate of zinc solution, three ounces to
the gallon, with handful of salt and an
ounce Of carbolic acid, is also used for body
and bed-clothing following contagious dis
eases. It is cheap and efficient. It is diluted
with an equal bulk of water before boiling.
Where rooms are purified by sulphur, they
should be closed tightly and two pounds
burned in each room. The sulphur is burned
in large pan, supported on bricks. It should
the room kept closed for twenty-four hours.
Those not experienced in its use will have
little success with sulphur. 1t is we'll, after
typhoid, scarlatina and the like, to replace
the wallpaper, and whitewashing used
to disinfect every crack and cram
ny of the premises. Enough is
known of the contagious nature of typhoid
fever to make every one in its neighborhood
use extra diligence to avoid it. If the water
supply is in danger of contamination from
vaults in adjacent yards, the water should
not be used until it is first boiled. This kills
organisms, destroys albuminoids, precipitates
lime and renders the water safe. After boil