The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-10-16
SUGGESTIONS FOR The PREVENTION Of
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

In view OF the reported prevalence of Dlph-
liberia and Typhoid Fever in this and in
other towns of the county, and also in the
rural districts. at the suggestion of Dr. Chan
cellor, Secretary of the State Board of
HEALTH it has been deemed expedient by
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 disinfection 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-
cially should be kept well 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 disinfec. ling should be
enforced
.. In order to guard against the harm
which sometimes arises from disturbing
heaps OF offensive matter during warm
weather, 1t Is often necessary to combine
the use of chemical disinfectants with such
means as are taken for the removal of filth;
and in case where the removal for the time
is impossible or inexpedieni, the filth should
always be disnfected
3. Special precautions of cleanliness and
dlslntection are necessary with regard to
lntectlve matters discharged from the bod
les OF the sick. Among discharges which
it is proper to treat az 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
must, OF course, extend to whatever is i'm
hued with them, sheets, clothing towels,
handkerchief, and other articles which
have been used by the sick. These should
be cleapsed AT once, either by being boiled
IN water or by being immersed in disin-
fecting solution for two hours, or until they
are ready for the washtub. The body of
person who has died of an infectious disease
should be well washed with a strong disin-
fectant, and no public or church funeral
should be permitted.
1. The discharges from typhoid fever pa
TENTS should never be allowed to stand in
proximity to drinking water, milk, or 9th er
food which may absorb the disease germs,
and, above all, they must never be cast
where they can run or soak into sources of
drinking 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, Nc, it should
not be used. But il 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. Filtering of
the ordinary kind cannot be trusted to
purify water, but it is good addition to
other processes. The dangerous qualities of
water are not obviatsd by the addition of
spirits. When there appears any probable
h.f III frih ,ti of
and the milk supply, the cleanliness of
diaries aud the purity of the water used in
them should be carefully Investigated.
8. Overcrowuing should always be per-
vented. The sick room should, rs far a.
possible, he free from persons who are nor
of Use or comfort to the patient. Ample
ventil alton should be enforced 1t is essen
tial both for patients amt for persons who
are about them that the sick room and the |
sick house be constantly well traversed by
streams of fresh air. Teachers should |
promptly exclude any pupil from school
who has been exposed to a contagious or ill.,
fictitious disease
pISINFECTANTS TO BE EMPLOYED.
For free and general use in privy vaults,
sewers, sink drains, water closets, stables,
pens aud on refuse he lps, &C., the fol- |
lowing are the cheaIes and most effective
diSinfectants and germicides known:
NV. l-SuloiH Vi lliuo pow
DER pound water, gallons. Dissolve
the lime in the water. This solution a |
gallons) will cost not more than five cents |
about fifty cents per barrel. A gallon or |
more may be used daily in all offensive |
prvy vault, ami such quantities AS may h. |
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 immelc d in this solution |
tilutaI (pnp gallon of Aplntipp tn irht ut
water) Tor two hours, or until ready for the |
laundry. The solution is not poisonous and |
does not iniure clothing
No. 2.-Corrosive sublimate, oneha |
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- |
ton.
No. 3 powder. Chloride of lime, one |
pound; corrosive sublimate, one ounce; |
plaster of Paris nine pounds. Pulverize
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 DOW |
der Is unsurpassed. 1t to be spriukled one
quarter of an inch thick upon the excreta or |
matter To be disintected, 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-
pecialy of the citizens living in the vicinity |
where Cases of the above named diseases are |
sand to exist, to the above suggestions; a |
prompt aud diligent observance of which |
will doubtless aid both in the restriction
and suppression of said infectious diseases |
BY order of Local Board of Health.
j. II. JAMAR