Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-21

promptly and properly disposed of there is
bat little danger in The sick room. The dis.
charges should be thoroughly d.s.nfected sai
not thrown into the priyy vault or where they
may pollute the sroani around human hab,-
tstions, or dad their way by surface wash or
ssaksge into any veil. spring. or water
coarse which serves as q drinking water sup
Ply.
Small poI. diphtheria, and scarle, fever,
On the o,nsr hand, are communicable direct
ly from the pa;ient 10 others. rhe Infection
is given ot IN the breath. FROM the whole
body, and the discharges are undoubtedly in.
fectious in ali. The contssou of each of
these three diseases is douby dangerous for
the reason that iu vitality (ts INFECTIOUS
ness) is often preserved tor long time
| That is, rooms, clothing, and other things.
which have become contaminated NAV retain
their intectiousness for months or even
years, unless the con,aglon Is destroyed BY
dislufecuon
DIsiSFIcrioS. know the essential
cause of some infectious d seases consists in
microscopic Organism, and ~e have good
reason TO surmise that all of them are de.
pendent on similar living particles. These
micro-orsanisms or germs are hard 10 kill, 4
slight fumigauon with sulphur or chlorine
would quickly Kill a man; but, though Goa
tlnued tor hours, woall be entirely harmless
TO these disease germs IL is necessary tlen
to entirely dregsri old tradItioas aud to use
,niy those dislntecung agents and methods
which both experience ani the latest inyesti
CATIONS have sho~n to be tustworIhy des-
ro,ers OF infection.
Burning will destroy infection, aud should
be employed in the case of all worthless
articles.
n,.l, ,,,, g. 81 -, A,
infect all things which can be 50 treated
Boiling water IN excess may also be used for
disinfecung infectious sputa, and ercrea in
closed vessels.
Steam under light pressure or freely
streaming through the articles can be used
on the large scale for d,sinfecting bedding,
clothing or other things which cannot be
boiled. For this purpose special dis,nfectors
are required.
Chloride of Lime in solution. six ounces |
to the gallon OF water, is one of the best dis
lnfectants for infectious sputs, excrcta, |
prvy vaults, etc. ltiujures clothing.
Corrosive Sublimate, (very poisonous II |
s~allowed) is one of the surest dlsintectasts |
for many purposes Its use should always |
De under the direction of some Intelligent
and careful person. In solution about one |
drachm to the gallon of water, il 10 the most |
desirable disinfeetant for washing walls,
hoors and all the woodwork of furniture |
Clothes may also be soaked IN this solution |
until they can be washed.
Carbolic u nd, (seven ounces TO one gallon |
of water), is a good disnfectant for clothing |
uutIl il can be boiled Ii does very we'll |
also for sputa, excreta in general and some
other purposes. Ii is more costly than, and |
upon the whole is not so Ell cient as Chloride
of Lime and Corrosive Sublimate, for the
purpose which they have been recommend
ed
Fumgat.on with ulphur is useful au1il |
iary but should not be depended ON alone
TO disintect room, ten feet in each dimen-
sion, three pounds of sulphur should be
burned
All disinfectants require time to act, When |
matter is to be dlsinfected, IL is almost use
less to dash it with a disinfectirg solution
and Immediately put 1t into the vault. The
matter or things to be dlsiufected should re-
main sub ted 10 the action of the dislntec-
tant quite long time, several hours, If pos
sible.
One hundred thousand or more persons di, |
annually IN our nation from diseases which |
are clearly preventable. and large part OF |
this excessive mortality is due 10 the conta-
gious diseases. In no other way can per
son be more truly public bsnefactor than
by contributing his mite of care. and In US
ing his influence to stay the unnecessary
slaughter. lie who thoughtlessly spreads
infection, or allows IL 10 be spread, needs u /
be taught; he who wiltully does so, richly |
deserves the penalty of the law.