The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-28

area OF an infected district to another, but
It ID entirely possible that he may also
convey II to greater balances. The rat
IL notably voyager. and those who have
observed his habits have noted that ~
Irregular but frequently repeated periods
he shows decidedly migratory tendencies.
The enormous number or rats which infest
cargo vessels is matter Of common
knowledge among those who deal Win
this class Of vessels at our quarantine
stations. There Ii on record an instance
in which after the sulphur fumfgation OF
q cargo steamer Of about 1850 tons there
were removed from the holds Of the snip
sixteen ordinary deck buckets OF dead
rats A moments thought win show what
terrible mass of infectious material this
ship would have furnished II the plague
had ever been introduced aboard by q
single plague-infected rat.
From the foregoing lines It may be read
lily understood how the malay may be
transmitted from one country to another
by travel and commerce. either overland
or by sea. A with cholera. the chief ele-
ment connected with its spread from In
dia to other portions Of Asia and into Eu-
rope and Africa are the religious piigrtm-
ages. Pilgrims from infected districts
visit the shrines, which are also visited
by people from noninfected districts, who
carry back with them the germs Of tho
disease.
Personal effects are easily disinfected,
but certain classes OF merchandise are SO
difficult and expensive to disfnfect as to
render the measure impracticable. Gem
orally speaking. It is now considered that
new merchandise plays comparatively
small role in the conveyance Of contagious
diseases, yet when suspected 1t must be
disinfected or forbidden entry until time
has elapsed covering the natural life of
the bacillus.
Under ordinary conditions the laboratory
growth, in the presence of uniform tenn
perature, on favorable nutrient media, and
kept from the influence of strong light,
culture Of the plague bacillus virulent to
rabbits will in two or three days 50 de-
teriorate that It Is no longer pathogenfc
for the very susceptible mouse.
In the sick room the following precau-
lions should be observed:
Curtains. carpets. rugs and all furniture
which Ia not necessary should be removed.
The bed is to be placed in the middle Of
the floor 1t should be washed with q
disinfecting solutl IN. There should be no
dust, dirt or parasites in the corners of
the room. Cloths, coverings and Mattress
es are to be dislnfected by steam or boil
ing at the conclusion Of the case, or AZ
often as they accumulate.
The floor Of the room or apartment
should be washed or mopped daily with .
disinfecting solution.
The purity of the water supply should
be watched with great care.
In cases of epidemics, drink boiled water
only.
Water from surface wells capable Of
contamination is forbidden and bakers
should be prohibited from using water
from such wells in the making Of their
bread.
In the event of the outbreak of case
of plague the health authorities should
be at once notified.
TIE patient should be promptly isolated,
and in the event OF the occurrence Of a
case In a habitation occupied by several
families the patient should be removed to
q hospital in a special ambulance.
Public Hygiene.
All causes of unhealthfulness which may
prepare the soil for the invasion of epi-
denies ought to be eliminated when It Ia
a question Of the possible Importation Of
the plague.