Partha’s new techniques to counter corona virus – the usefulness of Camphor vapour and Mandl’s paint

Abstract

The use of N95 masks is being recommended for the control of transmission of the dreaded corona virus. As this mask is relatively costly in the Indian set up, the reuse of masks has been suggested. One of the common methods of sterilization is keeping the mask dry for three days. As a different modification of the technique, we suggest (Partha’s technique) that it can be kept in a box with camphor crystals. The smell of the camphor has soothing effects in the nose with virucidal actions. Hence a simple drying can be done in a box with camphor vapour which has got added beneficial effects. Application of povidone iodine in the nose and the throat is known to have virucidal effects. But the commonly present gargles are more watery to stay in the nasopharynx. Here we suggest a paint prepared as Mandl’s paint (an old preparation) which is more viscous to stay in the nasopharynx for a few hours to have a potent virucidal effect. The technique (Partha’s technique) of application was by a throat swab with the paint followed touching the back of the two nostrils with cotton buds soaked in Mandl’s paint.