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APPENDIX G.
Instructions for Disinfection and for Destruction of rats in holds.
Effects of no value to be burnt.-Personal effects, rags, infected
bandages, papers and other articles without value should be destroyed
by fire.
Disinfection by Steam.-Under-clothing, bedding, wearing apparel,
mattresses, carpets, etc., which are contaminated or suspected, and
other articles to be disinfected should be exposed for fifteen minutes to
saturated steam-under pressure if possible-at a temperature not less
than 100 C. (212 F.), care being taken that the steam shall reach all
parts of each article to be disinfected.
Before a steam disinfector is passed as efficient for the purposes of
disinfection, it should be subjected to a test with the aid of a signal
thermometer, showing the moment when the temperature in the middle
of a mattress rises to at least 100 (Centigrade).
To ensure that the disinfection is effective, this temperature must
be maintained for from 10 to 15 minutes.
Disinfecting Solutions.-Perchloride of mercury has been disconti-
nued as a disinfectant for plague-vide G.O., No. 350 P., dated 28th
April 1909.
The following disinfecting solutions may be used:-
(a) A solution of cyllin, 1 part in 40.
(b) A 5 per cent. solution of pure crystallised carbolic acid, or 5
per cent. of crude commercial carbolic acid in a warm solution of soft
soap.
(c) * Fresh slaked lime.
Special instructions to be observed in the employment of disinfecting
solutions.-The linen, clothing and articles soiled by the excreta of
patients should be soaked in the solution of cyllin (1-40). The
solution of pure carbolic acid and the solution of soap and carbolic acid
are equally suited to the purpose. The articles should remain in the
solution for half an hour. Stir about once or twice and see that they
are thoroughly soaked with the fluid.
Articles which cannot be subjected to the temperature of the steam
disinfector (100 Centigrade) without injury, such as leather goods,
wooden articles stuck together with glue, felt, velvet, silk, etc., should be
washed with solution of cyllin (1-40) or one of the other solutions
mentioned above; coins can be disinfected with the solution of soap
and carbolic acid.
Persons engaged in nursing the sick should wash their hands and
faces with one of the carbolic solutions.
* To get very strong slaked lime take lime of good quality and slake it by
moistening it gradually with half its weight of water. When the operation is comple-
ted, put the powder in a carefully corked receptacle and place it in a dry spot. As
each kilogramme of lime absorbs 500 grammes of water in order to become slack, it
acquires a volume of 2 litres 200 grammes and it is sufficient to dilute it with double
its volume of water, say, 4 kilogrammes 400 grammes, to obtain a whitewash which
will be of about 20 per cent. strength of lime.