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soiled handkerchiefs, sheets, and the like, as well as for the
swabbing of floors, a valuable disinfecting solution may be
made with perchloride of mercury. It is well to have this
solution slightly acid, coloured also in such a way that it
shall not readily be confused with drinks or medicines; and
proper caution should be given to avoid accidents in its use.
Sanitary Authorities will find it advantageous to have such
a solution* prepared under the direct instructions of the
Medical Officer of Health, and supplied of a uniform
strength at the infected house upon the order of that
officer.
(b.) In places provided with proper systems of excrement
disposal, excrements of cholera and enteric fever, after being
treated in detail with the same disinfecting solution in
ample quantity, may be safely put into the ordinary closet;
but special care as to the flushing of drains and sewers, and
special frequency in the removal and exchange of excrement
receptacles, will commonly be wanted. Where the only
closet is one that communicates with a cesspool or privy
pit, the best arrangement for the disposal of infected stools
that under these improper local circumstances may be
found practicable will have to be adopted.
(c.) A substance generally available in the removal of filth from
privies and ashpits, and for application to foul earth and
the like,† is sulphate of iron (green copperas), either in a
strong solution made by stirring crystals of the salt with
five or ten times their bulk of hot water, or in the form of
powder, to which form the crystals may be readily brought
after desiccation. This agent should be used in quantity
sufficient to destroy all odour, and in the removal of filth
accumulations it should be well mixed with successive
layers of the matter to be removed. The dry form of
application is to be preferred where masses of wet or semisolid
filth have to be dealt with.
(d.) For disinfection of the air of rooms, after the room has been
prepared by the removal of persons, and of such articles as
* A solution fitted for the desired purposes may be made with ½ oz. corrosive
sublimate, 1 fluid oz. hydrochloric acid, and five grains of commercial aniline blue, in
three gallons (a bucketful) of common water. It ought not to cost more than 3d. the
bucketful; and should not be further diluted. The use of non metallic vessels (wooden
or earthenware house tubs or buckets) should be enjoined on those who receive it, and
articles that have been soaked in it should be set to soak in common water for some
hours before they go to the wash.
† The removal of dangerous filth is here the object to be attained. It cannot confidently
be stated that either the iron salt or any available substance will effect a true
disinfection of such masses of filth as are here in question.