The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-02-10
SEARCHING FOR IRON.
Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever.

Commissioner James Crane, NJ. D., Of the
Brooklyn Health Department, in view of the
that city, yesterday caused circulars to be dis
tributed, setting forth the following facts and
recommendations to restrict and prevent con-
tagion:
Diphtheria and scarlet fever are highly conta-
gious diseases attacking persons of all ages.
They may be contracted from persons that are
already affected, from the clothes they have
worn, and from every thing which has been in the
room with them. Even the walls Of the room
may infect persons coming into IL after the pa
tient has recovered unless the poison is destroyed
In order to prevent their spread in a family or
house where they exist, and to promote the re-
covery of the persons attacked, the following
simple measures should be cOnscientiously and
rigidly carried out, thereby preventing much
suffering and saving human life: An upper, sun
ny room, provided if possible with an open fire
place, and with no other children on the same
floor, should be arranged for the patient, by re-
moving everything from it which can possibly
be spared, such As books, clothing and window
curtains remembering that when once the pa
tient has entered the room, nothing can with
safety be removed until dsenfected OF fumiga-
ted. One or two adults should take the entire
charge of the patient, under no circumstances
coming in contact with other persons, more cs-
pecially children. Open windows and open fire.
places, with fire in them day and night. avoiding
draughts and chilly air, protect the sick and
those who nurse them. Nothing should be re-
moved from the room when the patient has once
entered il until il has been thoroughly dsinfected.
Procure from n drug store one pound of sui
phatc of zinc. Put into ordinary water pail
eight Tablespoonful of sulphate Of zinc and four
Of common salt, and to this add one gallon of
boiling water. This disinfecting solution is to
be kept in the room, and in to il should placed
and Kept for one hour every article of soiled
clothing, bedding, handkerchiefs etc. When
they are removed from this, they should be put
into boiling water before being washed. The
dishes and spoons used by the patients should be
put into boiling water before they permitted
TO leave the room. Remember that every article
which is in the room can convey the disease, and
that nothing should 90 from it until the poison
which it might carry is destroyed.
See that the whole house from cellar to attic
is clean. Keep the cellar dry, well ventilated
and well whitewashed, and never allow, even
for n day, garbage other filth to be kept in it.
Open the windows of sleeping rooms every day
for a. long time as possible, fresh air being an
excellent disnfectant. Be that there
no defective traps in the drain-ppes of the house
through which the gases from the decomposing
filth can enter to pOllute the air you breathe.
When the children complain of sore throat send
for n competent physician; a few hours delay
may cost their lives. If the disease is pronoun-
oed contagious, see that it is reported TO the De-
partment of Health, and keep the other children
from school until permit is procured for their
return. The measures here recommended are to
be used in all contagious diseases, whether dph-
iberia, scarlet fever or measles.-N. y. Herald