The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-09-16
cHLoERA PRECAUTIONS.


'1dirt and cowardice'r and while il is
claimed by many authorities that fear
,predisposes person to the attacks of
disease, 1t is unquestioned b. any au-
thority that the spread of cholera, in
every epidemic which has visited this
country, has been along the line of the
most unsanitary conditions. Modern
sanitation has made during the last
few years, advances which take it out
of the list of probable utilities and
give it first place in the methods of
scientific medicine. The aim of the
profession is now none the less to cure
the sick, but it has taken wider aud
more benefeent scope, i. q. to prevent
sickness.
As to the history of cholera little
need be said. Every epidemic, since
1917 has started in India, and nearly
all have followed the same path
through Asia into Europe and over to
America. The sanitary condition of
India is known to be hopelessly bad
and the mortality of the disease has
shown an unvarying proportion to the
sanitary condition of the country visit
ed. e
The duty of protecting the people of
,our country from an inroad by this
disease devolves upon three separate
and distinct, powers, and only by
hearty cooperation on their part can
immunity be secured. ..
l. The National Government makes
every effort to prevent the contagion
gaining access to our shores and to
this end. establishes an efficient quar-
antine along the cost.
2. In the event of cholera eluding
the vigilance of the marine hospital
service of the U. S. it becomes the
dutyof the State Boards of Health to
adopt such restrictive measures as to
confine the disease to the smallest area
possible. The local boards must also
act with the greatest vigilance in pre-
pairing their respective districts to re-
sist any threatened attack. sd
3. The people must CO. operate
cheerfully with the local health Off
GERS, carrying out their instructions in
spirit as well as letter. and must pre-
serve such healthful personal condi-
tons and cheerfulness of mind as to
aid in suppressing the disease
Cholera as a disease attacks the
bowels and is powerless to effect any
Nevil unless the predisposing causes
care such as to give its propagating
germ an entrance into the system.
The essential contagious germ of
cholera is the comma bacillus, rapid
ly reproducing microscopic organism
This germ is especially favored by
stagnant water, cess-pools, decaying
vegetable and animal matter, or gen.
orally by uncleanliness. Fortunately
however the germ is easily destroyed
and its destruction can be made so
complete that while scattering cases
of cholera may appear an epidemic is
impossible if the people choose to pre-
vent it.
The duty of the local boards of
health may be divided into two heads:
(a) To insist upon and personally to
superintend the thorough disinfection
and cleaning of all public places, into
which dirt can collect, as well as all
private priyies, ash piles, garbage
boxes and repositories, drains, sewers,
etc. (b) To advise the people publicly,
and so effectively that nobody Can
fail to know how essential personal
cleanliness and careful observation of
healthful diet and habits, are to safety
| from attack.
Particularly should attention be paid
to the disinfection of all privies and
house vessels used for these purposes.
And it is to be remembered that deodo-
rization is not disinfection. If the
following precautions are preserved we
can feel confident that the danger is
not great.
DIET.-The diet should be very
plain and BEAUTIFULLY cooked, all water
milk. ETC., used should be carefully
boiled, fresh ripe fruit is not dangerous
but over-ripe fruit and vegetables are
to be avoided Eating and drinking
between meals should not be allowed,
and a generally quiet and uneventful
course should be pursued. Diarhma
of any degree is a dangerous predis-
posing cause and as soon as noticed
should be attended to and a physician
consulted. All alcoholic liquors should
he avoided and the habits of life should
be simple. unexciting and very regular.
DIsINFECTIoN.-Fire is undoubtedly
the most effective disinfectant, hence
all articles of small or no value should
be burned in the room if practicable,
in the stove or better still in an open
fire place. Articles of value can be
washed, such as bedding soiled under
clothing, ETC.. care being taken to boil
them thoroughly. Garments of wool
or silk, which would be injured by wet
ting, can be disinfected by exposure to
dry heat at temperature of 230 de-
grees Fair. for two hours. This will
be found difficult to do except in dis
injecting ovens erected for the purpose.
DIsINFECTING SOLUTIONS RECOMMENDED
BY THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
| STANDARD SOLUTION No. l.