The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-10-14
HOW TO DIsiNFECT.
Five Rules to Observe In Cleaning Stables
and Premises-Care Demanded In the
H. of Mov~uvy

Five Rules to Observe In Cleaning Stanies
and Premises-Care Demanded In the
Use of Mercury.
In any outbreak Of infectious disease
among animals thorough disinfection OF
the premises is essential to preventing
the spread of the contagion. Certain
substances, such as fresh slaked lime or
unslaked lime In powder form, Chord OF
lime, carbolic acid, corrosive subllmate,
formalin, formaldehyde gas, and COM
pound solution of of cresol possess the
power of destroying bacteria with which
thew come in contact. To make the use
of such substances of value, however, the,
work must be done with the utmost
thoroughness. Careless disinfection is
probably worse than none, tor 1t merely
serves to give false sense OF security.
In the disinfection of stables and pre-
misses the following directions should be
carefully observed:
l, Sweep ceilings, side walls, stall
partitions, floors. and other surfaces
until free from cobwebs and dust.
2. Remove all accumulations of filth
by scraping, and if woodwork has become
decayed, porous, or absorbent, 1t should
be removed, burned, and replaced with
new material.
8. If the floor is of earth, remove 4
inches from the surface, and in places
where it shows staining with urine
sufficient depth should be replaced to eX-
pose fresh earth. All earth removed
should be replaced with earth from an
uncontaminated source, or new f1oor OF
concrete may be laid, which is very DUR
able and easily cleaned.
a. All refuse and material from stable
and barnyard should be removed to a
place not accessible to cattle or hogs and
covered with freshly slaked lime. II
this manure is spread on fields, it should
be turned under Immediately, while the
wood should be burned.
s. The entire interior of the stable,
especially the feeding troughs and drains,
should be saturated with disinfectant.
as 3 per cent solution of compound So
luton Of cresol u. S. P.), which would
be 4 ounces of the compound to every
gallon of water.
The best method of applying the disin-
fectant IS by means of strong spray
pump, such as those used by orchardlsts.
The method is efficient in dislnfectlon
against most of the contagious and in
fictitious diseases of animals, and should
be applied Immediately following any
outbreak, and, as matter of precautlon,
it NAV be used once or twice yearly.
All stables, like houses, should have
ample window space in order to admit
plentiful supply of sunlight and fresh
air, in themselves among the most power
full disinfectants known. Bacteria thrive
in dampness, dirt, and darkness, and
clean, dry stable presents the most I'M
favorable conditions for their develop
ment. For this reason good drainage is
also an essential point to be considered Ill
the construction of a stable.
Cresol. carbolic acid, and other coal-tar
products used as disinfectants have a
disagreeable odor, which may readily be
absorbed by milk and other dairy pro-
ducts. 1t is therefore sometimes mad
visable to use them, and In such cases
bichlorid of mercury may be substituted.
This should be used in the proportion OF
| to 800, or ! pound of bichlorld to 100
gallons of water. Where bichlorid is
used, however, all portions of the stable
which have become soiled with manure |
should first be Thoroughly scraped and
cleaned. as the albumin contained in !
manure greatly diminjshes the disinfect,
ing power of the mercury. Bichlorld of
mercury is also a powerful corrosive
poison, and its use should always be su-
pervised by a veterinarian or some other
person experienced in the handling of
poisonous drugs. The bichlorid solution
should be applied with a spray pump like
the cresol solution. All managers and
feed boxes which have been sprayed
should be allowed to dry and then be
washed out with hot water, Care in this
respect is important, for cattle are espe-
cially susceptible to mercurial poisoning.