Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-20
TAKE PROPER PREcAUTioN.

We are pleased to note the interest
which is being taken by Secretary
Beatty Of the state Board OF Health,
IN the sanitary conditions of this city
and the enforcement OF quarantine
regulations, which are absolutely neces-
sary considering the prevalence OF con-
tagious diseases.
The Deseret News has repeatedly adj
yised a general cleaning up and proper
disposal Of garbage and all kinds Of
disease breeding and offensive matter,
and also a strict compliance with quar-
antine rules and the dlslnfection OF per-
sons and places exposed to contagion,
But there are many persons, II appears,
who are either ignorant OF the danger
to the public health arising from the
intermlngling Of people who have been
thus exposed, with the general public.
or are utterly Indifferent to the well
fare OF others.
DR.. Beatty expresses his opinion that
the chief cause of the spread of diph-
iberia and scarlet fever In this city Is
the frequent disregard of quarantine
regulations. He introduced resolu-
tIon In the City Council on Tuesday
evening, that two additional inspectors
be appointed whose duty It win be TO
see that those regulations are enforced.
The resolution was adopted, and 1t viii
be not only right and reasonable for
reports OF cases OF those diseases TO be
made promptly to the health depart
ment. but It will save much trouble
and expense. Prosecutions will be iu-
stituted against the violators OF those
rules, and arrests viii be made OF per-
sons who. having been exposed to
contagious disorder, will still mingle
with the public.
All that Is very proper. There Is
one view of the subject. however, that
ought TO be presented, and that is that
there is much danger from the contact
OF an officer or doctor with patients
suffering from those Affections, II he
visits them In the same apparel
which he wears In association
with other people. 1t Is just as
necessary that physician or an In
spector shall guard against the spread.
ing Of contagion as for anybody else
70 do so. We have head of profess
sional gentlemen coming out Of quar-
antined houses, boarding street cars
and going about their business freely,
when, at the same time. II some work.
Ing man living In Guaranteed house
went forth to his labor, even though he
may not have entered the sick room.
he would be subject to arrest and pun
ishment.
Careful physicians dislnfect their
clothing and take precautions which are
necessary In visiting their patients
However. there are some who seem to
think that because they do not them
selves contract disease they are not
likely to communicate II 10 others. But
IL these diseases are spread because
persons who reside in the houses where
they exist are not confined therein UNI
I'll danger is past is It not extremely
probable that contagion Is carried by
those who are considered TO have a
risht to visit those houses, and who
take no special means to protect the
public from the danger of their own
presence?
Some conscientious doctors and In
spectors wear an outside garment Of
rubber or other material, which they
put on when entering place where con-
tagious disease exists. and which they
put of on emerging; and they also
thoroughly dlsinfect their own persons
and clothing, before mingling with the
public or calling on other patients, We
have no desire to find fault with the
medical fraternity, nut there is much
comment on this matter, and there are
thoughtful individuals who desire the
public welfare, who cannot see why a
business or laboring man who takes
proper precautions so as not to carry
infection. must he housed up for weeks.
while a doctor or inspector may go In
and out Of the same house with I'M
punity. and without adopting any spe-
clal precautionary measures. Enforce
ncedful quarantine regulations, by all
means. but let them extend wherever
necessary and to all persons liable 10
aid IN the spread Of those diseases
which appear to be prevalent