For utensils, surgical instruments, and dressings the best of all disinfectants is live, superheated steam at 220o to 225o F. The next best is dry heat. Instruments can be boiled with water, or placed in 5 per cent. phenol or 70 per cent. alcohol, or a mixture of phenol and alcohol. Catgut is sterilized by boiling with cumol at 3300 F. (165o C). Dressings, absorbent cotton, etc., may be sterilized by dry heat or formaldehyd.