A text-book on hygiene and pediatrics from a chiropractic standpoint

by J. H. Craven

Disinfection

When an object is contaminated with so-called pathogenic germs it is said to be infected. To disinfect an object it is necessary to destroy the microörganisms. The destruction of all so-called pathogenic germs, whether in the substance of the object or on its surface, is called disinfection. All lower forms of animal and vegetable life are destroyed in sterilization, while in disinfection only the germs which, from the medical standpoint, are the cause of dis-ease, are destroyed. The agent used in disinfection is known as a disinfectant or germicide.