contaminated food.

"The incubation period has not been definitely established
in human beings. The information at hand indicates that it
is less than two weeks, and probably in the great majority
of cases between 3 and 8 days."--(Report of Special
Committee on Infantile Paralysis, American Journal of
Public Health, November 1916.)

DISINFECTION

Specific directions for disinfecting in every kind of communicable
disease would be too extended to be given here. In each case the
attendant should learn from the doctor just how that particular disease
is communicated, just what discharges, utensils, linen, etc., need to be
disinfected, and just what disinfectants he prefers to have used. The
following general methods are now in use, but it must be remembered that
from time to time new methods are devised and new disinfectants are
discovered.

CARE OF NOSE AND THROAT DISCHARGES.--The care of handkerchiefs has
already been described on page 239. Cloths or cotton used to wipe the
eyes or to receive any other bodily discharge including vomitus, should
be collected in the same way and burned. Everyone should be taught in
early childhood to cover the nose and mouth with a handkerchief during
coughing and sneezing; if the patient has not already learned to do so
he must be taught now. If the amount of expectoration is great,
waterproof receptacles should be provided, which should be burned with
their contents.

CARE OF DISCHARGES FROM THE BOWELS AND BLADDER.--At the present time the
following preparations are commonly used to disinfect stools and urine:
5% solution of carbolic acid; chloride of lime solution, made freshly
whenever needed by mixing thoroughly 1/2 pound of chloride of lime with
one gallon of water; and unslaked lime to which is added _hot_ water.
The amount of carbolic solution used should be about equal in bulk to
the amount of material to be disinfected; the chloride of lime solution
should be at least twice, and the unslaked lime at least one-eighth the
bulk. Fecal masses should be broken up so that the disinfectant may
reach every part; they may be stirred with tightly twisted toilet paper,
which should be left in the bedpan and disinfected with the stools. If
these substances are used, disinfection is considered complete at the
end of an hour, and the contents of the bedpan may then be emptied into
the toilet with safety. It may be necessary to provide two bedpans