The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-07-28
DEPENDABLE ANTIsEPTIC AND
 DTSINFECTANT

Wt .
 DISINFECTANT
 Every little while some one asks how to disinfect or sterilize a clinic cal thermometer.
 Except in cases where the physt- elan instructs you to take the temperature I believe a clinical thermometer has no place in a well regulated household. and so far as I have observed the use of one except under order of the phySi- ciar services only to give you some thing to worry about.
 The best way to disinfect a clini- cal thermometer so that 1t VIII pc safe for any one to use is. in my opinion, simple washing with cool, not hot, soapy water.
 Best way to disinfect or steriliZe needle, pin, knife-point or other instrument you may use to dig out silver or open a blister or a pim- ple is by boiling it for five minutes. or hold it in gas or alcoholi flame for a second or two. Or if these means are inconvenient, just plunge 1t into a cake of wet soap and go ahead with the surgery.
 Whenever you want to stcrtliEo cloths for any purpose, even for use in or about the field of an opera. tion, ordinary laundering and iron. ing will serve the purpose as well as the most imposing steam pres sure apparatus. suitable sterile compress or pad to apply to a wound either for pressure to stop bleeding or as a protective dressing. is freshly laundered and troned handkerchief or any similar piece of cloth. When we speak Of sterile surface we mean that the surface is free from disease-causing germs.
 It is practically impossible to sterilize the skin of the hands or the skin of the area of an opera tion. The technique followed by sur- Reons is thorough hand scrubhing with plain soap and water and then the wearing of rubber gioves-the rubber glove surface can be ster- ilized by heat. The skin Of the operation area is scrubbed with plain soap and water, dried. and painted once only with tincture Of iodine.
 That brings us face to face with a question which I. for one. would prefer to evade a little longer. But if you insist I suppose must make up my mind about it. Please let me have a few more days to null it over and then I'll give my opinion regarding the use of iodine as a first disinfectant or antiseptic. 0yTEETEONS and ANSWERS
 Youth
 I am l5 l-2 years of age and my menstruation is not as regular as 1t should be. My skin is excessively oily and has blackheads and pirnpies most of the time. and large pores.
 (M. O
 Answer-Send a stamped envelope bearing your address. Ask for pamphlet Hygiene for Girls and Health for Women" If you would like also a pamphlet on "Acne-Oily skin. Blackheads and Pimples" in- close ten cents for it.
 Barely Made It
 Have long enjoyed your articles, not alone for the good medical sd- vice but especially for the never falling humor. My little niece heard me telling some friends about your caution to the girl who asked about the effect of going without stockings to be careful not to get you in wrong with Grandma-apd she discarded her stockings next dayl Both mother and grandmoth" CT. who had drowned on bare legs. then gave in laughinely to the view of "OP Doc Brady" We have fine family doctor. but just the same, we make him show us if he differs from your teachings.
 70. N. D.
 Answer-Don't tell me there are any old fossils still breathing who con jure up deleterious effects some day" from going without stockings or any other clothing one prefers to discard.
 The Green Book My husband is a nervous wreck and I'd like to have your tract on nervousness and food.
 (Mrs. ?, ". R)
 Answer - Send twenty-five cents and stamped self addressed envelope for the green book Nerves ano Nutrition"
 icopyright ls44. John ?, Dille Co.,