The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1898-10-14
Prevention Of Diphtheria.

The State Board of Health has issu-
ed a circular on the above subject As
several cases have been reported in
this county, We reproduce the follow
ing extracts from the Circular:
"Diphtheria is both contagious and
infectious, and is distinctly a prevent
able disease, being easily limited to
the first case or cases. When it gets
away from the primary cases and
makes its escape upon the community
some body is to blame. The sooner we
accept this as sanitary maxim the
sooner we shall begin to do our duties
as individuals and communities. On
account of its frequency and fatality
this disease is of far more Importance
to the people of Kentucky than small
pox, yellow fever or cholera When a
child has sore throat, and especially if
diphtheria is in the neighborhood, it
should be Immediately separate from
stefan has seen it and decided whether
or not it is affected with a contagious
disease. If diphtheria, strictly isolate
the case at once, in an up stairs room,
If possible, and as disconnected as
practicable from the living and sleep
ing apartments of other children. No
one except the physician and nurses
should enter the room, and they
should take every precaution not to
carry the infection to others. The
discharges from the mouth and nose
should be received on soft cloths and
burned, and other discharges should
be disinfected, and all refuse from the
sick room burned All utensils used
in feeding the sick should be washed
separately from other dishes, and
should remain some time in boiling
water. Disint ect all bed and body
clothing, and other like things, as
soon as removed, by immersion for at
least six hours in a solution of chic
ride of lime. four ounces to the gallon
of water. They may then be wrung
out and put in the wash. Remember,
however, that no disinfectant in the
occupied sick room can do away with
the necessity of abundant fresh air
and sunlight.
After complete recovery, or death,
always thoroughly disinfect the room
and its c,ntents, preferably with mas
cent formaldehyde, or where this is
not available by burning three
pounds of sulphur, moistened with al
cohol, for each 1000 cubic feet of space
previously stopping all opening, and
odu1 tuC OCuuAuk anu
clothing, and leaving the room tightly
closed for twelve hours The room
should then be thoroughly ventilated,
and all lodges. woodwork, etc, wash
ed with strong soap and rinsed with a
disinfecting solution. In case of death
the body should be wrapped in a sheet
saturated in q disinfecting solution
and buried without public service. In
giving notice of death newspapers
should state that it was from diphthe-
ria, and that children, and those hav-
ing the care of children, should not at
tend the funeral The Board urges
the use of antitoxin in every case as
soon as the disease is recognized, and
recommends that immunizing inject
ions be used for all children who have
been seriously exposed.
To be eff ct;ve the precautions here
in suggested should be riQidly observ-
ed, imperfect isolation and disin lection
are worse than useless. giving rise on
ly to q false and misleading sense of
security.
Country and municipal boards of
health have full authority under our
laws to enforce these rules, and will
fall short of their duty If they fail to
do so. Bv order of the Board.
j. M. MATTHEW'S, M. d. Pres't
J. N. Mccormack. M. D., Sec'y. -