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Infection and Disinfection: Chloride

No. 1. Standard Solution of Chloride of Lime (chlorinated lime). This is one of the most effective and highly recommended disinfectants. It is used in the form of an aqueous solution, i. e., dissolved in water, in strength varying from 3 per cent (weak) to 10 per cent (strong) solution. For a 10 per cent solution add 1 pound of good chloride of lime to 1 gallon of water and mix thoroughly.

For a 5 per cent solution use pound to the gallon of water, and for a 3 per cent solution use 1 pound to 3 gallons or 54 ounces to the gallon. Authorities variously recommend from 5 to 6 ounces chloride of lime to the gallon of water, or a solution of slightly more than 3 per cent, as a standard solution for free general use.

Chloride of lime is not fully soluble in water. A clear solution may be obtained by filtration or decantation, but the insoluble sediment does no harm and this is an unnecessary refinement. The solution should stand at least ten minutes before using.

The chloride of lime must be of the best quality. It should contain at least 25 per cent of available chlorine. Poor chloride of lime is useless. Prepare only as needed and keep, preferably, in a stone jug with a tight-fitting stopper. Do not depend upon this solution unless freshly prepared from chloride of lime of good quality. This substance ought to be obtained anywhere for about 10 cents a pound retail or about 3 cents wholesale, making the cost of EL 3 per cent solution only about 1 to 3 cents a gallon. Hence, in addition to being among the most effective disinfectants and germicides available for general use, it is also one of the cheapest.

Directions for Use. -Use one quart of the half-strength (5 per cent) solution for each discharge from a patient suffering from any contagious or infectious disease. Mix well and leave in the vessel for an hour or more before throwing into privy vault or water closet. The same for vomited matter. For a very copious discharge, especially in cholera, use a larger quantity; and for solid or semisolid matter, use the full strength (10 per cent) solution. Receive discharges from the mouth or throat in a cup half full of the half-strength (5 per cent) solution, and those from the nostrils upon soft cotton or linen rags. Burn these immediately.

As the fecal discharges of the sick are the chief vehicles of communication in many contagious diseases, their disinfection should be thoroughly performed. Especially should care be taken as to their disposal, so that no portion of them can gain access, either directly or indirectly, by surface drainage, percolation, filtration, or otherwise, to any water-supply.

Use a quart or more of the solution full-strength (10 per cent) each day in an offensive vault, and such quantities as may be necessary in other places. Use it in a sprinkler in stables, and elsewhere. In the sick room place it in vessels, cuspidors, etc. Immerse sheets and other clothing used by the patient in a pail or tub of this solution, diluted one gallon of the full-strength (10 per cent) solution to ten of water, for two hours, or until ready for the wash room or laundry. This solution is non-poisonous and does not injure white clothing. It should be used, however, only for white, cotton or linen fabrics. It bleaches colored goods and injures wool, silk and other animal fibers. Body and bed linen thus treated should afterwards be thoroughly cleansed by boiling for a half hour in soap and water and by two or more rinsings.

It may also be used in one-third strength (3 per cent) solution for washing the hands or parts of the body which may have been exposed to infection from excreta, etc.

For a free and general use in privy-vaults, sewers, sink drains, refuse heaps, stables, and wherever else the odor of the disinfectant is not objectionable, this is perhaps the cheapest and most effective disinfectant and germicide available for general use. It should be used so freely as to wet everything required to be disinfected. Its odor does not disinfect. It only covers up other odors.