5. Corpses, especially of persons that have died of any infectious or malignant disease, should be thoroughly washed with a zinc solution of double strength; should then be wrapped in a sheet, wet with the zinc solution, and buried at once.
Metallic, metal-lined, or air-tight coffins should be used when possible; certainly when the body is to be transported for any considerable distance.
Comments.
Section I. 1. Copperas, also called green vitriol.
2. About four tablespoonfuls of the zinc and two tablespoonfuls of the salt, making a solution of the chloride of zinc.
Section II. 1. The windows should be kept open, if possible, but in such a way as to avoid draughts on the bed. A fire should be constantly burning in an open fireplace.
The room should be on the top floor, and all cracks and openings communicating with other rooms should be closed tightly. The door which has to be used should have a wet sheet hanging entirely over it, the windows and fireplace being alone relied on for ventilation.
2. The burning of sulphur produces sulphurous acid, which is an irrespirable gas. The person who lights the sulphur must, therefore, immediately leave the room, and after the lapse of the proper time, must hold his breath as he enters the room to open the windows and let out the gas. After fumigation, plastered walls should be whitewashed, the wood-work well scrubbed with carbolic soap, and painted portions repainted.
3. Or put copperas in a pail of water, in such quantity that some may constantly remain undissolved at the bottom. This makes a saturated solution. To every privy or water-closet, allow one pint of the solution for every four persons when cholera is about. To keep privies from being offensive, pour one pint into each seat, night and morning.
4. (a.) Such articles should never be sent to a public laundry or mingled with the family washing.