The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-10-26
TIMELY WARNING.

weather approaches, the danger OF lts
becoming yet more gravely epidemic in
creases. In view of this fact, DIR. @. o.
Probst, secretary of the State board of
health, has prepared for publication in
the Monthly Sanitary Record, the official
publication Of the Ohio State board of
health, an exhaustive article upon the
treatment Of the disease and the pre-
cautionary or preventive measures
which should be adopted. After relat-
ing to what an alarming extent diph-
theria is prevailing, the paper says:
The fact of greatest Importance in
connection with the prevention OF the
disease is that it is spread by contagion
and it can only be controlled by strict
isolation of the sick and by the disinfec-
tion of all things with which they come
in contact In an excellent paper read
by DIR. s. w. Abbott, secretary Of the
board of health of Massachusetts,, be-
fore the international congress of hy-
giene and demography in London, Eng,
the following conclusions were laid
down relative to the propagation OF
diphtheria:
First-"That diphtheria is an emil
nently contagious disease.
Second-"That it is infectious not
only by the exposure of the sick to the
well, but also through indirect media,
such as clothing and other articles that
have come in contact with the sick.
Third-"rhat overcrowding, faulty
ventilation and filthy condition of tene-
ments favor its spread.
Fourth-"That the influence Of de-
fective plumbing is not proven.
Fifth-"Thatit its transmission through
public and private water supplies is not
proven.
Sixth-"That its propagation is IA
vored by soil moisture, damp cellars and
general dampness Of houses
Seventh-"That the poison may re-
main inactive in houses for long peri
ods."
There is not the slightest doubt but
that the spread Of diphtheria can
be prevented by the strict enforce
ment Of proper measures. Treat the
disease just as you would smallpox,
and II can be limited to the house
where 1t first appears in a community.
This has been demonstrated many times
In our state. Instances can be cited
where person having diphtheria has
come into the community free from the
disease, and where, by promptly quar-
antining the patient and all those asso-
ciated with him, tho disease has been
promptly arrested. But the first
case in a community is often not
seen by the health authorities until q
number have been exposed, and many
faci Of the disease have been started.
Frequently the true nature OF the affec-
tion is not at once recognized, and II
may then be carried into the schools
and widely spread Boards Of health
should strictly enforce the following
measures for preventing the spread Of
diphtheria: -5
Require physicians to report prompt
ly all cases Of diphtheria or membranous
Group and when the disease is preva-
lent, all cases Of suspicious sore throat
Immediately on report OF case, visit
the house, placard il, and note what
provisions can be made for isolating
the patient Adults who are obliged to
go out may be permitted to do SO, II
they at no time come in contact with
the patient, or enter the sick room. II
you cannot trust that this provision
will be followed, allow them TO lhange
clothing, disinfect their persons, and
leave the house, to remain away until
the patient has been discharged or died
and the house disinfected. II this pre-
caution cannot be enforced, quarantine
all the inmates Of the house. Notify
the parents that the well children must
not be allowed to leave the premises or
mingle with other children, and notify
the superintendent of schools TO pro-
hibit all children in the infected house
from coming TO school. Require the
attending physician to take the same
precautions TO avoid carrying the dis
ease Us you would were smallpox being
treated. The great majority Of physi.
clans will need no suggestion from the
health authorities in regard 10 this. Do
not close the schools unless you are un.
able TO keep within bounds those liable
to carry the disease; children are
usually safer at school than on the
street ia child is found sick with
diphtheria, send all the children In the
room home at once, and have the room
disinfected before allowing the children
TO return. Keep diphtheria patients
quarantined forty days In accordance
with the rules OF the State board OF
health. This time may be shortened II
the attending physician certifes that
danger OF spreading the disease has
passed sooner than this, and the board
Of health deems II wise to do so But
bear In mind that the germ Of diph-
theria is often present In the mouth or
throat for two weeks or more after the
diphtheritic membrane has disappeared;
and the disease is frequently spread by
permitting children TO go out while they
are atill In condition to convey conts-
gion. t..
The quarantine regulations should
not be removed until the house contain
ing the patient has been properly disin-
feoted ia person dies Of diphtheria,
require the body 10 be buried rs soon
after death rs possible, and prohibit a
public funeral, allowing TO be present
only the immediate relatives Excluding
children), minister and necessary At
tendance The effect OF damp, filthy
houses In propagating the disease al.
ready has been noted, and boards OF
health should be diligent In eradicatinQ
all such disease breeding spots
Crushed to Death.
McALEsTER, ]. T., Oct 24.-Lee Bland,
N nu,ora, In ono ~ tha ,,t,o. -