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Disinfection.first, to destroy noxious odors, that is, to deodorize; second, to destroy poisonous principles which are capable of inducing disease - that is, to disinfect, in the proper sense of that word. These two processes are not always identical ; that is, we may remove all unpleasant odors without destroying the noxious substances which induce disease. Most agents which are used for disinfection, however, are capable of both deodorizing and disinfecting. The following substances are those in common use for purposes of disinfection. For the cleansing of water closets and vaults, the most convenient disinfectant is the sulphate of iron (green vitriol). A pound of this should be thoroughly dissolved in a gallon of water and emptied into the vault. The substance commonly known as " chloride of lime " is another excellent agent for deodorizing. A pound of this dissolved in a gallon of water is usually sufficient to remove unpleasant odors. For disinfecting bedpans and similar vessels and for cleansing water closets, listerine is a most agreeable and effective agent. One part of this to five of water is usually strong enough to remove such odors. For disinfecting rooms which have been occupied by patients suffering from infectious diseases, it is necessary to have some disinfecting agent which will diffuse itself through the air of the room. The best agents for this purpose are bromine and chlorine. Bromine, which is a liquid, may be placed in a saucer and allowed to stand for twenty-four hours. Chlorine can be best obtained by placing about two tablespoonfuls of chloride of lime in each of several saucers which are to be placed upon the floor and furniture of the room ; the formation of gas (chlorine) can be hastened by adding a few ounces of very weak vinegar to the chloride of lime. After such rooms have thus been disinfected the furniture should be removed, - to the open air if possible-the floor should be thoroughly scrubbed with a solution of carbolic acid (one part to twenty-five of water) ; the walls and ceiling should be washed and freshly calcimined or whitewashed. Articles of clothing which have been used by a patient suffering from an infectious disease should be burned ; so should newspapers, journals, books, etc. If such articles are too valuable to destroy they should be exposed to a heat sufficient to disinfect them thoroughly ; garments may be boiled for an hour, or kept in an oven at a temperature of at least 200 degrees Fahr. for two or three hours. It is important that these measures be observed, since disease is often spread by the agency of articles of clothing, books, and the like, which may be circulated around from one person to another. Heaps of dirt and filth should be covered with charcoal, or quick lime, or with dry earth, to a depth of three inches. A mixture of charcoal and quick lime can be obtained under the name of " calx powder. " For disinfecting drains, ditches, sewers and the like, the best method is the use of the chloride of lime. A most important point in cases of infectious fever is to isolate the patient. It is important that no one be allowed to see him except those whose personal attendance is absolutely necessary. The well-meant visits of sympathizing friends usually annoy and exhaust the patient himself, and spread the disease to others. This latter feature is often neglected ; people who have had smallpox or have been repeatedly vaccinated, for instance, seem to think it incumbent upon them, as a religious duty, to visit their friends who may be suffering from the disease. While this may be done with the most benevolent motives, and with perfect impunity so far as the visitor is concerned, it is often the means of disseminating the disease. For an individual who will not take smallpox himself, can nevertheless communicate the poison to others with whom he may come in contact. Soiled linen should be immersed in a disinfecting solution before being carried out of the room. For this purpose a solution of carbolic acid, one part in twenty of water, or chloride of lime should be used. All slops and excrement from the patient should be thoroughly disinfected in the same way before being removed. A sheet saturated with the carbolic acid solution or some other disinfectant, should be hung across the doorway ; this should be frequently moistened with the disinfectant. Saucers containing chloride of lime should be placed in the room. " As to the patient, the sulphite of soda may be administered in lemon juice ; and if the case be smallpox or scarlet fever, the patient may be washed with tar soap or salicylic or carbolic acid soap. At the latter stages, when the dry crusts of smallpox or the scales of scarlet fever constitute special sources of danger, a carbolized oil or ointment should be rubbed over the body, and the patient should be bathed every day or two ; then the disinfectant should be smeared over the whole surface again, and at the regular time the bath be resorted to. By such means the infective matter given off from the surface is rendered harmless. " Such are the measures to be carried out when fever has once entered a house. It is not sufficient merely to see the patient through the fever in scarlatina, smallpox and typhoid; the most infectious period is that of early convalescence. Such convalescents should be kept away from the healthy, in separate rooms, until the last scab has fallen off in smallpox, and until the last particle of skin has exfoliated and come away in scarlatina. " The bed on which the patient lies should receive careful attention. The prevalent habit is to place two or three mattresses on the bed with the idea of making the patient comfortable, and to leave these undisturbed for days or weeks at a time. It is not sufficient to " shake up " these mattresses occasionally ; they should be well aired every day as certainly as the sheets. There may be, it is true, cases in which the patient's condition absolutely forbids even the slight movement necessary to remove a mattress from beneath him; but a little care and skill can accomplish the required change with but little discomfort to the patient. The mattress upon which the patient rests - and it is usually sufficient to have one-should be not be too soft, since the emanations from the patient's body are more apt to permeate such soft materials. In hospitals, where especial attention is given to details, the beds are usually provided with a woven wire mattress, upon which one of horsehair is laid. Whatever material be employed, it is necessary to air the bed frequently, and if possible to permit a circulation of air under the mattress. Patients are usually burdened with too much covering, under the idea that because the individual is sick he must be kept very warm. The result is bad in different ways ; in the first place the patient is practically enveloped in a poultice, a measure which may be beneficial in some exceptional instances, but is certainly unde sirable, as a general rule. In the next place the patient is kept so warm that the slightest exposure may cause him to take cold. An essential item in the care of a patient is attention to his personal cleanliness. This is even more important when an individual is sick than in health, since the system is not so able to endure the presence of the materials which should be thrown out of the body by the skin. Furthermore, there is often an additional reason for frequent cleansing of the skin, because there are certain matters present in the body which must be eliminated by the skin. A patient should be bathed at least twice a week with soap and warm water. If his condition be such as to prevent his removal from the bed, a sponge bath should be given. In bathing a patient it is advisable to uncover only a little of the surface at a time, and to rub this dry before exposing other parts of the skin. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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