The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-10-16
FOR The PREVENTION Of
INFECTIOUS DISEASES,
ELKToN, October 18th. Is!

III view OF tne reported prevalence OF Dlph-
iberia and Typhoid Fever in this and in
other towns of the county, and also in the
rural districts. at the suggestion of DIR. Chan
cellor, Secretary of the State Board of
Health, it has been deemed expedient bv
the Local Board to give further publicity
to his circular of sanitary and corrective
hints by printing the same in the papers of
the county:
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
!. Whenever diphtheria, typhoid fever,
or any other infectious disease prevails or
threatens to 'prevail, perfect cleanliness of
premises and repeated disnfection of all
foul places is of the first Importance. In no
yard or open lot, cellar or other place, should
any collection of animal or vegetable refuse
be allowed to remain. Privy vaults espe-
cally should be kept we'll cleaned and dis
infected. Badly kept slaughter houses and
filthy pig pens are the most fruitful sources
OF disease Wherever animals are kept,
daily cleansing and dsinfeoSing should be
enforced.
:. In order to guard against the harm
which sometimes arises from disturbing
heaps of offensive matter during warm
weather, it is often necessary to combine
the use of chemical disiufectants with such
means as are taken for the removal of filth;
and in case where the removal for the time
is impossible or mex pedien,, the filth should
always be disinfected
B. Special precautions of cleanliness and
disintection are necessary with regard to
infective matters discharged from the bod
les OF the sick. Among discharges which
1t Is proper to treat as infective are those
which come in cases of diphtheria from the
nose and throat and in cases of typhoid
fever from the bowels. The caution which
| Is necessary with regard to such matters
i1ust, OF course, extend to whatever is i'm
hued with them, az sheets, clothing, towels,
handkerchiets, and other articles which
have been used by the sick. These should
be cleapSed az once, either by being boiled
in water or by being immersed in "a disin-
fectlng solution for two hours, until they
ave ready for the washtub. The body of
person who has died of an infectious disease
should be well washed with strong disin-
fectant, and no public or church funeral
should he permitted.
t. The discharges from typhoid fever pa
tients should never be allowed to stand in
proximity to drinking water, milk, or 9th or
food which may absorb the iii sease germs,
and, above all, they must never be cast
where they can run or soak into sources of
urlnk king water Water used for drinking
or culinary purposes should be free from
animal or vegetable refuse; if tainted by
leakage or filtration from sewers, drains,
cesspools, Pig pens, stables, &c, it should
not be used. But if the only water which
for time can be got is open to suspicion OF
dang erous organic impurities it should be
boiled before it ~ used for drinking, and
then not to be drunk later than twenty -four
hours after it has been boiled. Fiteriug of
the ordinary kind cannot be trusted to
purify water, but it is good addition to
other processes. The dangerous qualities OF
wafer are not obviatsd by the addition of
spirits. When there appears any probable
relation between the distribution of diseases
and the milk supply, the cleanliness of
diaries and the purity of the water used in
them should be carefully investigated
5. Overcrowuing should always be per-
vented. The sick room should, as far a.
possible, he free from persons who are not
of Use or comfort to the patient. Ample
ventil alton should be enforced 1t is essen
tial both for patients and for persons who
are about them that the sick room and the
sick house be constantly well tIaversed by
streams of fresh air. Teachers should
promptly exclude any pupil from school
who has been exposed to u contagious or in
fictitious disease
DISINFECTANTS TO BE EMPLOYED.
For free and general use in privy vaults
sewers sink drains, water closets, stables,
pig pens and on refuse he ips, Sc, the fol-
lowing are the cheaIes and most effective
disinfectants and germicides known:
No. l-Chlori,ie of lime bleaching pow
der pound; water, t gallons. Dissolve
the lime in the water. This solution a
gallons) will cost not more than five cents,
or about fifty cents per barrel. A gallon or
more may be used daily in an offensive
privy vault, and such quantities as may b.
necessary III other places. In the sick room
it may be used in open vessels. Sheets,
clothing. and other articles used by the pa
tient should be imneIc in this solution
diluted Gone gallon of solution to eight OF
water) Tor two hours, or until ready for the
laundry. The solution is not poisonous and
does not iniure clothing.
No. 2.-Corrosive sublimate, one-half
once; permangenate of potash, one-halt
ounce; water, four gallons. The cost OF this
solution is about double that of No. l. 1t
is used in the same way and for the same
purpose. The only advantage it has over
No. is that it is without odor. 1t is poi
sonous but its bright purple color will pre-
vent its being mistaken for any other solu-
tion.
No 8 powder )-Chloride of lime, one
pound; corrosive sublimate, one ounce;
plaster of Paris nine pounds. Pulverlze
the corrosive sublimate, and mix thoroughly
with the plaster of Paris; then add the
chloride of lime by gradually mixing Keep
dry,
As an antiseptic and deodorizer this pow
der Is unsurpassed. 1t to be sprinkled one
quarter of au inch thick upon the excreta or
matter TO be disinfected, and subsequently
moiSteued If the material is dry.
beg, therefore, to call attention of the
municipal authorities of the several towns
and villages in the county, and more es-
pecially of the citizens living in the vicinity
where cases of tue above named diseases are
sand to exist, to the above suggestions: a
prompt and diigent observance of which
will doubtless aid both in the restriction
and suppression of said infectious diseases.
BY order of Local Board of Health.
j. H. LAMAR
II Secretary of Local Rnari