120

PATHOGENIC BACTERIA.

once be burned. These napkins are not quite as good
as the small pasteboard boxes (Fig. 20) recommended by

FIG. 20.—Pasteboard cup for receiving infectious sputum. When used the
pasteboard can be removed from the iron frame and burned.

some city boards of health, because, being highly absorb-
ent, the sputum is apt to soak through and soil the fin-
gers, etc. Tuberculous patients should be provided with
rice-paper instead of handkerchiefs, and should have their
towels, knives, forks, spoons, plates, etc. kept strictly
apart from the others of the household (though the pa-
tients, whose mental acuity makes their sensibilities very
pronounced, need never be told of their isolation), and
frequently boiled for considerable lengths of time.

The excreta from typhoid-fever and cholera cases re-
quire particular attention. These, and indeed all alvine
matter possibly the source of infection or contagion,
should be received in glazed earthen vessels and imme-
diately intimately mixed with a 5 per cent, solution
of chlorinated lime (containing 25 per cent, of chlorin)
if semi-solid, or with the powder if liquid, and allowed
to stand for an hour before being thrown into the
drain.

The Clothing, etc.—All bed-clothing which has been
used in the sick-room, all towels, napkins, handkerchiefs,
night-robes, underclothes, etc. which have been used by
the sick, and all towels, napkins, handkerchiefs, caps,
aprons, and outside dresses worn by the nurse, should be
regarded as infected and subjected to sterilization. The
only satisfactory method of doing this is by prolonged
subjection to steam in a special apparatus; but, as this