The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-02-03
Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever.

\. Y. Herald.
Commissioner james Crane, NJ D., of the
! Brooklyn Hsalth Department, ia view 81
the prevalence Of diphtheria and scarlet
| fever IN that city, has caused circulars 70 be
distributed, setting forth the following facts
and recommendations to restrict and pre-
vent contagion:
Diphtheria and scarlet fever are highly
contagious diseases, attacking persons of all
| ages. They may be contracted from persons
| that are already affected, from the clothes
they have worn and from everything which
has been IN the room with them Even the
walls of the room may infect persons coming
into it after the patient has recovered. un~
less the poison is destroyed. In order to
prevent their spread III a f9mily or house
'rhere thev exist and to promote the recov>
cry OF the persons attacked the following
simple measures should be conscientiously
and rigidly carried oat, thereby preventing
much suffering and saving human life
An upper, sunny room, provided if possible
with an open Fireplace, and with the other
children on the same floor, should be ar
ranged for the patient by removing every
thing from it which can possibly be spared,
such as books, clothing and window cur>
tains, remembering that when once the
patient has entered the room nothing can
with safety be removed until disinfected or
fumigated. One or two adults should take |
the entire charge of the patient, under no
circumstances coming IN contact with other |
persons, more especially children. Open |
windows and open fire~places, with fire i'm |
them day and night, avoiding draughts and |
chilly air, protect the sick and those who |
nurse them. Nothing should be removed |
from the room when the patient has once
entered it until it has been thoroughly dis
infected or fumigated
Procure from a drug store one pound of
sulphate of zinc-the price should not ex>
coed 80 cents Put into an ordinary water
pail eight tablespoonfulS of sulphate of zinc
and four of common SALT and to this add
one gallon of boiling water. This disin>
iecting solution is to be kept in the room,
md in to it should be placed and kept for
one hour every article of soiled clothing
bedding, handkerchiefs, etc. When they
ire removed from this they should be put
nto boiling water before being washed.
The dishes and spoons used by the patient
should be put into boiling water before
hey are permitted TO leave the room
remember that every article which is in
he room can convey the disease and that |
lothing should go from it until the poison {
Shich 1t might carry Is destroyed.
See that the whole house from cellar to !
tito is clean. Keep the cellar dry, well !
entilated and we'll whitewashed, and never I
How, even for day, garbage or other t
18th to be kept in it. Open the windows Il
t sleeping rooms every day for as long
inc as possible, fresh air being an excellent n
Islntectant Be sure that there are no q
effective traps in the drain>pipes of the I
ouse through which the gases from de- :
omposing filth can enter to p0llute the air l.
on breathe When the children complain II
sore throat send for competent physics e
IN; few hours delay may cost their lives. h
the disease is pronounced contagious, :,
e that it is reported to the Department of
stuTn. Tie measures here red0mmeGueu
re to be used in all contagious diseases, d
neither diphtheria scarlet fever or measles. G