The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-23
CHOLERA PREvENTIVES.

>
Circular from the American Public
Health AssociatiOn-Vhat Should BE
Done to Prevent the Spread OF the
Disease.
In view Of the appearance and progress OF
cholera in the South and its by no means improb-
able advance into other parts OF the country, the
American Public Health Association have prepared
q circular concerning the means OF combating the
dread destroyer and have issued it for publication.
The following are the principal points in this
timely and useful document
SANITARY CLEANSING.
The local conditions that chiefly promote the out
breaks and propagation OF cholera are:-
2 Fiitn-sodden grounds.
Foul cellars and hlthy badly drained surroundings
4 Foul and obstructed house drains
Decaying and putresccnt materials whether animal
g. Unventiated, damp and uncleansed dwellings and
apartments
These localizing causes Of cholera should be
promptly and very thoroughly removed before q
case Of the disease appears in the town district
and If any sources OF putrescence or OF excessive
moisture remain these should be controlled by the
proper cleansing, drying and dsinfection.
Thorough scavenging and surface drainage, with
the application at the same time or quicklme and
and coal tar or crude carbollc acid; whitewaShing
with fresh quick lime; the cleansing and thorough
drying and ventilation OF cellars Easements, cham
bers and closets, and daily care to cleanse, nush
ventilate and purify the sources of delement about
all inhabited premises, Will aford almost complete
protection If suitable care is taken of personal
health.
The security Of personal health requires pure
drinking water, fresh and substantial food, tenn
perance and the needed rest and bathing OF the
body.
DIsNFEcrIoN AND DIsINFEcTANTs
Inc principles relating to distinction as means
Oh destroying the propagating or infectious cause
OF cholera and arresllng putrelaction are readily
understood, and may be so explained to any family
that the household may insure It's own Immunity
d
For popular use we append brief statement Of
these principles at the end OF this circular, and
respectfully recommend that the statement and
the following schedule OF rules and methods he
given to the press ana to all principals OF Schools
superintendent OF places OF public resort, railroad
depos, ferries, hotels and public institutions and
to the masters OF ships and steamboats, aud the
conductors OF passenger trains throughout this
Continent, believing, as we do that by the timely
and continued application OF these measures the
prevalence Of cholera may be prevented. But let
the TACT be remembered that there can he no SUBJ
stitutes or thorough cleansing ana fresh air.
RULES AND METHODS OF DISTINCTION.
For Prtctes, Water Closets Drains ana Seacers.-
Eight or ten pounds OF sulphae OF iron (copperas)
dissolved IN five or SIX gallons OF water with half
pint Of crude carooic acid added to the solution
and briskiy stirred, makes the cheapest and best
dsinfectlng fluid tor common use. 1t can be pro-
cured in every town and by any family, and II the
carboc acid is not at hand the solution Of copperas
may be used without it.
To prevent privies and water closets from be-
coming Injected or offensive, pour pint OF this
strong solution into every water closet pan or
privy seat once or twice day.
TO disniect masses OF filth, privy vaults, sewers
and drains, gradually pour in this solution until 1t
reaches and Gislnfects all the foul material
For the chamber vessels used by the sick and for
the distinction OF ground upon which any excre-
mental matter has been cast away use the solution
OF copperas and carboic acid, and for disinecting
extensive masses or surfaces OF putrescent mate
fectng mud may be used, or the 'deaa o1'' (heavy
ol OF coal tar or coal-tar tself coal-tar may be
used as paint upon the walls OF cellars stables
and open drains.
Other disi,ttect0nts such as the solutions of SEES
quichlorlde OF iron or chloride ofztnc, are eectual
in pr1yies and drains and upon foul surfaces and
offensive materials
Q,ttckltnle is useful as an absorbent and dryer
upon foul walls ana In damp places, and white
washing with IL should be practised in common
tenements, factories, easements, closets and gar
rets
TO disnfect the clothing or bedding dealed IN
any manner by excremental matters from the
SICK throw them into a solution made as follows:-
One pound OF sulphate OF zinc to SIX or eight gal
Ions Of water, to which add tive or three ounces
OF pure and strong carDoic acid-such articles to
remain therein at least half an hour; then imme-
diatey place them in boiling water and continue
boiling If the acid is not at hand, then use the
solution OF zinc IN water. The same dlsinfecting
solutioe is excellent Tor bedpans and chamber
vessels, and Tor so1led floors de1ed surfaces.
Apartments, bedding and upholstery that have
been used by the sick with cholera or diarrh9a
should be thoroughly cleansed and dlsnfe cted.
PRINCIPLES AND DUTIES TO BE OBSERVED.
/. That thorough cleanliness, domestic and
civic. and an abundant supply OF pure water are
essential means OF preventing cholera in any
household when the disease Is near.
2. That general cleansing, scavenging and dis.
infection should be attended to in every city and
tow before cholera makes its appearance; and
that wherever 1t does appear, that house and the
exposed premises should be Kept constantly dis
injected.
8. That whatever differences Of opinion there
may be respecting the epidemic phenomena Of
different periods, the paramount Importance OF
thorough cleanliness and distinction is to
be kept In mind; and that, In the words OF the
Chief Medical Oncer OF Great Britain, 1T appears
to be characteristic OF cholera, not only OF the
disease In Its developed and alarming form, but
equally Of the slightest diarrhGa which the cpl
demc can produce, that all matters which the pa
tiept discharges from his stomach and bowels are
infective; that the patients power OF injecting
other persons IS represented almost or quite ex-
clusivey by those discharges; that they are COM
paratively non-infective at the moment they are
discharged but afterwards, when undergoing de-
composition, acquire their maximum iniective
power; and that II they be cast away without pre-
vlous disnfection, they impart their own iniective
quality to the excrementa matters with which
they mngle In ilthsodden earth, or in de-
positories and conduits OF filth, and to the
eflluvia which those excremental matters evolve;
that If the infective MATERIAL by leakage or soak
age from drains or cesspo0ls or otherwise, gets
access even in the smallest quantity, directly or
through porous SOIL to wells or other sources OF
Gus manner, very large volumes OF the water
that the inectiye influence OF the eholeraic dis
charges attaches to whatever bedding, clothing
and like things have been imbued with them, and
renders these things, II not dsinfected, capable OF
spreading the disease.o
L. Cleansing and purity, skilful disnfection, tenn
perate habits, and wholesome diet, with pure
water and fresh air. are the trusted and sure
means OF health and security in all places and for
all classes OF people when exposed to the causes OF
cholera. The watchwsrd against this destructive
enemy should be-Remove the local causes that
favor the propagation Of cholera, and wherever IL
appears let its germs be quickly stamped out by
powerful disiniectants and special cleansing.
rrn mr n