Many observers have decried formaldehyde on account of its professed lack of penetrating power. Professor Delépine, however, states[106] that it possesses "penetration powers probably greater than those of most other active gaseous disinfectants. Bacillus coli, B. tuberculosis, B. pyocyaneus, and Staph. pyogenes aureus were killed in dry or moist state, even when protected by three layers of filter paper." In
Professor Delépine's opinion, the vapours of phenol, izal, dry chlorine, and sulphurous acid have, under the same conditions, given inferior results.
We may now shortly summarise the foregoing facts respecting antiseptics and disinfection in the simplest terms possible to afford facility to the uninitiated in practical application:
To disinfect a room, seal up cracks and crevices, and burn at least one pound of roll sulphur for every 1,000 cubic feet of space.[107] Many authorities recommend four or five pounds of sulphur to the same space. Let the room remain sealed up for twenty-four hours.
To disinfect walls, wash with chloride of lime solution (1–100) or carbolic acid (1–40). This latter solution may be used to wipe down furniture. Either or both may be used after sulphur fuming. Formic aldehyde may also be used by lamp or autoclave.
To disinfect bedding, etc., the steam sterilisation secured in a Thresh, Equifex, or Lyon apparatus is the best. Rags and infected clothing, unless valuable, should be burnt.
To disinfect garments and wearing apparel, they should be washed in a disinfectant solution, or fumed with formic aldehyde.
To disinfect excreta or putrefying solutions, enough disinfectant should be added to produce in the solution or matter being disinfected the percentage of disinfectant necessary to act as such. Adding a small quantity of antiseptic to a large volume of fluid or solid is as useless as pouring a small quantity of antiseptic down a sewer with the idea that such treatment will disinfect the sewage. The mixture of the disinfectant with the matter to be disinfected must contain the standard percentage for disinfection. Chloride of lime is a common substance for use in this way. Potassium permanganate (1–100) and carbolic (1–100), and many manufactured bodies containing them, are also widely used. Drs. Hill and Abram recommend[108] that the excreta and disinfectant be thoroughly mixed and stand for at least half an hour. For various reasons they particularly advise chinosol as the most convenient disinfectant for this specific purpose.
Antiseptics for wounds. Carbolic acid (1–40) or corrosive sublimate (1–1,000) are commonly used in surgical practice. Boracic acid is one of the most unirritating antiseptics which are known. It may be used in saturated watery solution (1–30) or dusted on copiously as fine powder. It is especially applicable in open wounds, and as an eye-wash.