M.Pd Disinfectants are toxic chemical substances which destroy micro-organisms and living tissue. Antiseptics are less toxic substances which inhibit the growth of micro-organism. Generally speaking, disinfectants are used for sterilizing inanimate object, and antiseptics are used for cleansing the skin and maintaining the sterility of boiled or auto-claved instruments. These definitions are, however, not precise because the destructive power of a disinfectant depends on its strength and the length of time for which it is used. Nowadays, disinfectants are often referred to as “bactericides” because they kill bacteria, and antiseptics are called “bacteriostatics” because they prevent bacteria from growing and multiplying.
Answer these questions
1. What do disinfectants do? 2. What do antiseptics do? 3. What are disinfectants used for? 4. What are antiseptics used for? 5. What does the destructive power of a disinfectant depend on? 6. Why are disinfectants sometimes called bactericides? 7. Why are antiseptics sometimes called bacteriostatics? Some chemical agents commonly used as disinfectants or antiseptics Substance Use
Proflavine For disinfecting the skin and swabbing wounds
Gentian violet For preparing the skin before operation Tincture of iodine For disinfecting the skin Cetrimide For disinfecting the skin, instruments and other equipment Hydrogen peroxide For irrigating wounds and cavities and removing pus and Hibitane blood Lysol For disinfecting the skin and instruments Phenol For disinfecting floors, baths, clothes etc For disinfecting linen sanitary equipment and excreta THANK YOU