Milford chronicle., 1893-07-28
A Physlo ans Tine y TAX.

DISTINCTION AND DIsINFEcTANTs
The tsrin di~i1fection is used here rather
il its popular than in its strict sense. For
cleaning premises in the absence o. ary spe-
cifc germs" or disease, the use of those
germicides or true disinfsctants which would
be recommended III the presence Of such
germs is uot Necessary. To deoGoTize aud
sufficiently 10 disiufect privy vaults, cess
pools, drains and similar places as a meas
ure of cleanliness the free use of chloride of
lime, or sulphate of iron, popularity known
as copperas, will be sufficient. Tie chloride
of lime may be prepared for use by dissolv-
ing one pound in four gallons of water, or it
may be used still more simply by sprinkliug
the dry powder over any place or material
that it is desirable to disufect.
II should be borne in mind that chloride of
lime is efficient ouly so long as it is dry and
gives off strong odor ofchlorime gas Sui
phate of iron OF copperas may be dissolved
in water IN the proportion of one and ahalf
pounds to gallon of water. Whatever dis
infectant may be used sufficient quantity
to keep down any and all unpleasant odors
should be employed daily and as much
oftener as occasion may require. Fresh
quick lime should not be used in such places.
Il should be clearly understood that all
the measures herein recommended are fully
within the powers conferred by law or local
boards of health, and that the law expressly
provides that all expenses incurred in carry
ing out the provisions of the statute under
which local boards of health are organized j,
as also all expenses incurred in measures for
restricting hespread Of disease with certain
exceptions in which individuals are held re-
spousible), shall be paid by the town, village
or city by or on behalf of which such expen-
ditures shall have been incurred. Copies
of circular in which the powers and duties
Of local boards Of health aud the duty ofphy-
siciaus in reporting contagious diseases are
more fully defined, may be obtained by mem.
bers AID officers of such boards BY applica.
tion to the Secretary, +. B. Frazer, Whining
ton, Del, of the State Board of Health. This
circular also contains the recommendations
made by the committee appointed bv the
American Public Health Association in rela-
ton to disinfeciants and their use These
suggestions will be of especial service to
health boards and health officers,
The duty Of preparation which devolves
upon local health boards, also deVolves upon
the officers and managers of our State insti-
tutiOus of every kind. ouch officers should
see that a thorough examination of the build
iugs under their care is made, and that all
uIhealthfil u conditions are removed. The
waier supply, the sewerage, all matters re
lating to the disposition of filth or refuse
material of any kind should be inspected
with view to the removal Of all defects, and
the maintenance Of the highest and best san-
itary conditions. The same duty is incum-
bent on sheriffs and keepers of jsis, upon
the heads of reformatory institutions OF
every kind, to aay one of which persons in
the incipieut stages OF disease may be
brought at any time. The power Of these
officers is ample and urdoubted for these
purposes, and there can be no reasonable ex-
cuse if in OF about any such institution,
there are at any time conditions which favor
the development of disease If it should uu-
fortunately be brought to them.