The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-06-28
THE WASHSTHND.
Frequent Use of a Disinfectant on Hands
and Face.

Frequent Use Of a Disinfectant on Hands
and Face.
Whether in the city. where the water
is brought to the washstand in pipes, or
in the country, where the pitcher and
water jug are the source of supply,
there is need of careful management of
the washstand and its belongings.
1t is by many good authorities claimed
that no two persons should use the
same basin and towel There is great
deal of good sense in this, and as the
world grows wiser we will learn that
individuality in all things has its adj
vantages, not only in convenience, but
in health.
Many of the minor ills of life are now
known to be caused by germs that are
readily transmitted from one person to
another. Almost all eruptions. eSpe-
cially those upon the face. are of this
class. and many an exquisite complex
ion has been spoiled by using some
toilet article belonging to those who
are afflicted with these disfiguring
blemishes.
Where several members of a family
use the same washstand. it as of great
Importance that the bowl or basin be
thoroughly washed and frequently
cleansed with boiling water. A fami-
ly towel Is an active agent in spread
!! ing skin diseases. 1t may be ques-
toned whether this article either in
the home, the Office or in pu bile places.
is not responsible for a great many of
the lesser miseries that help to make
up the sum total of the discomforts of
the human family.
As measure OF precaution. it is well
to keep on hand, some 'easily-pr
and simple disinfectant. Probably the
best. safest and most effective is that
made from the regular sulphurouS acid
of commerce. L little care is neces-
sary in handling it. as the glass-stop-
pered bottles In which it comes must he
opened cautiously and in the open air
or with open doors and windows. The
vapor rising from the acid is very pun
gent and suffoeating. and large guam
titv OF it suddenly inhaled might pro-
duce unpleasant If not fatal results
Open the bottle. pour a quantity into
another bottle and add part glycerine
TO one part of the acid. which is a col
orleSS liquid. resembling water. Keen
this IN glass-stoppered bottle on a
shelf above the reach Of little hands.
Thirty drops of this, or half teaspoon
ful. IN a half cup of water viii destroy
almost any disease-germ that it touches.
Ten or twenty drops in a glass of water
is an admirable wash for the mouth
and teeth. as well as an excellent gar
gle for the throat and. with the ever
present threatening of epidemic. might
be used with great advantage every
morning and night. Indeed, as a gar
gle and mouth-wash half dozen times
day, il would be decidedly beneficial
and would doubtless prove a very great
saving in doctors bills. Put a few
drops of the compound into a wash
bowl, with n very little water. and
rinse the dish thoroughly, wash the
bruSh-diShes, wash-cioths and the
brushes themselves. not forgetting the
hands and fnger-nails. where colonies
of bacteria often find comfortable and
congenial quarters. Especially is this
the case with persons who 90 a great
deal without gloves. Personal tidiness
has nothing 70 do with this state a.
things. and no precaution seems 70 avail
IN such cases.
Not long since a micrescopist exam
ined the finger nalIs OF q half-grou-n
schoolgirl, ana found beneath them
five distinct varieties Of microbes and
bacteria And ner hand were n much
better condition cRau those OF the ma
jor'tv Of her fellow pupils. livery
person who has occasion % handle any
number % articles that have passed
through many hands would no doubt
find upon careful examination divers
and sundrv colonies cf these michiev-
Gus organisms in peaceful possession OF
the crevices under the finger nails
The free use ~ a SuI yhuroUS acid dis
infectant world remove source Gf
great danger b health. especially in
times when contagious 1aladles pre-
vail when enr'S morning paper gIaF
bring disease germs a. well 81 news.
and the bills and iooSe change we =
n street cars ma purchase FOR IS
Journeys that sons and daughters Of
men scarcely undertake 81 their own
free Willy. y Ledger