Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-06-28
FIGHTING DISEASE GERMS.
Cleanliness, Pure Air and Pure Water Arc
Absolutely Essential.

cleanliness, Pure Air and Pure Water Are
Absolutely Essential
1t is Of the greatest Importance for
every housewife to understand the
of the various disease germs,
and be able to combat them intelli-
gently 1t is often the case that our
best friends become our worst enemies.
Thus it is with water and air Both
are capable of doing much good and
also, under favorable conditions, OF
doing great evil. Both are necessary
to life and both have the power of TAX
ing life. They are the great sanitary
agents. On the one hand they have
the power to prevent disease; on the
other, they are the two great vehicles
for transmission of disease germs.
The germs of typhoid fever,
cholera, dysentery, and many
other diseases, are conveyed by drink
ing water more frequently than by any
other agency. Knowing the power of
water to hold and convey disease
germs, it becomes duty to use only
pure water. Water contaminated by
surface drainage must be avoided, as
also that which has stood over night
in close room. Although disease
germs will stand a great deal of cold
and not be destroyed, they are not
able to stand heat above certain de-
gree. Taking advantage of this fact,
we can render drinking water perfect
ly pure and safe by thoroughly boil
ing and filtering it. 1t might be inter-
esting to give directions for making
an analysis of water and the various
methods of detecting its impurities,
but space forbids. The most effectual
way of purifying the air is by thorough
ventilation. Every house should be
provided with good system of ventila-
ton. One of the simplest and best APP
planes is the fireplace. The great
objection to windows as ventilators is
the danger of producing draughts.
This is very important item in sick
rooms, as draught of air may produce
serious consequences. This may be
obviated by fitting board under the
lower sash, so as to raise the window
four or five inches. This will leave an
air space between the upper part of the
lower and the lower part of the upper
sash sufficient for good ventilation. In
the various elaborate systems of venti-
lation now in use, the great caution to
be observed is to be sure that the air
supply is absolutely pure.
In addition to what has been said
regarding cleanliness, there may be
mentioned certain chemical agents
that aid greatly in preventing dis
ease. These are disinfectants and
antiseptics. Many make the mistake
of confounding these substances with
deodorants, and the distinction is not
always made clear, even by the medical
profession. Prof. Gilman reports the
case of physician of considerable
reputation" who had attended case
of contagious disease, which termi-
mated in the death of the patient. He
reported that he had personally SUI
perintended the disinfection of the
house" and that the work had "been
done thoroughly" The board of health
made inquiry into his method, and dis
closed the wonderful work of ''sprink-
ling grounds on pan of Goals
and disseminating its pleasant ar oma
| throughout the premises" 1t is need.
| less to say that the board took the
matter into it's own hands and
gave the task of regenerating the
premises to competent individual.
An antiseptic is substance which pre-
vents decay in material that is liable to
undergo decomposition. Sugar, salt
vinegar, alcohol, smoke, heat and cold
are familiar domestic examples, while
in surgery we find carbolic acid, zorro
sive sublimate boracic acid, and vari
GUS other substances in common use
A disinfectant is substance that de
stroys germs after they have beer
formed, and renders inert that which
produces decomposition or disease. AL
disinfectants are antiseptics, and al
antiseptics, if sufficiently concentrated
or used in large quantities, are disin
fectants will briefly mention few
of the most important disinfectant
now in use and the method of using
them.
Copperas is good and cheap disin
fectant for many purposes; it is easy t.
obtain and readily dissolves in warn
or cold water. 1t should be used il
the proportion of two pounds to thu
pailful of water. Chloride of zinc il
superior to copperas as disinfectant
but it is more expensive and therefor,
not so available where large quantitie
are required. The proportion is half
pound to the gallon. This is very eff
fective solution to use in kitchen sinks
house drains, ETC., also in vessels uset
about the sick-room. Corrosive subj
mate in a solution consisting of on
part of the salt to thousand parts o
, water is one of the most effective dis
infectants known. 1t can be used TO
any purpose when disinfectant i
needed, but being dangerous poisol
it should be handled with care. Quick
lime and chloride of lime are valuabl
to scatter around wet places, unde
buildings, in stables, ETC.. The often
sive odor of the latter, however,
their chief disadvantage. A solutio
5 of sulphate of zinc, one pound; carboli
acid, two ounces; and water, four ga,
, Ions answers every purpose for wash
| ing soiled clothes taken from SICK
room; after washing the bed linen an
other clothes in this thorough boi
ing will destroy all disease germs.
, By fumigation we are able to reac
every nook and corner where diseas
germs may Turk. Many substance
}, may be used, but chief among them
!. sulphur. Have all the windows, fire
places, fues, keyholes, doors and othe
= openings securely closed by strips {
/ paper pasted over them. Then in
| L