Evening star., 1902-02-14
CONSUMPTION GERMS
HEALTH OFFICER SUGGESTS I'M.
PORTANCE OF DISINFECTIoN.
Danger Arising From Lack of Care in
Rooms Occupied by Pa
tients.

The health department has just put into
effect a measure intended to encourage the
dsinfection of rooms which have been occu-
pied by patients suffering from consump-
tion The danger from consumptlve, II is
declared, arises largely through the mate
rial which he splits up. This material, even
with the best Informed and most careful
patient, is liable to infect the apartment
which he occupies and with ignorant and
careless patients 1t Is almost certain to do
so. 1t does this by drying on cloths and
handkerchiefs, which are subsequently so
handled as to scatter dry particles Of sputa
on the floor about the room generally.
With less careful patients the room may be
infected with matter spat directly on the
floor, which dries out and is subsequently
pulverized by passing feet and waited
about the apartment. These particles set
tie in various Out-of-the-way places and
are subsequently disturbed by drafts or by
the process Of sweeping busting; thus
disturbed they are inhaled by subsequent
occupants of the room who may as a con-
sequence develop consumption.
The health department believes that
every room which has been occupied by a
person suffering from consumption should
be disinfected before it is occupied by any
one else.
In the absence. however of any law re-
quiring cases of consumption to be report
ed the department learns only of fatal
cases and to these alone, therefore, can
direct particular attention. For this pur-
pose ii has prepared Il letter which Will De
mailed to each physician upon the receipt
of a death certificate signed by him report
ing the death of patient from pulmonary
tuberculosis. This letter calls attention
to the value of disinfection in such cases
and suggests that the particular apartment
or apartments which this patient occupied
by disinfected The health department Of
fol hn Of nh yS}n n
disinfect to cooperate In the diSinfec-
ton Of the apartments.
The letter incidentally invites the atten-
ton of the physician to the fact that the
health department is ready to disinfect
upon request. or to assist in the disinfec-
tion Of any apartment from which aeon
sumptive patient has removed.
Circular Issued.
For the education of the public in such
matters the health department has caused
a circular to be prepared describing briefly
the nature of consumption and the means
by which it is spread. and laying down ere
tain rules to be followed by persons suffer-
ing from the disease SO as to reduce as
much possible the danger of commune
eating it to others. These circulars will be
furnished to the physicians to the poor for
the guidance of their patients and will
probably be forwarded to the various pub
lie dspensaries for use among their pa
tients. They will be sent upon applica-
ton to physicians and citizens generally In
such numbers as they may desire for their
own for distribution.
The idea of the health department is that
the first step which must be taken toward
the limitation Of consumption Is the educa-
tion Of the public In the belief that it Is a
preventable disease. The department be-
lieves that when the public becomes thor
oughly imbued with and acts upon this
idea such legislative restrictions. if any,
as may be then needed, and such hospitals
and sanitariums as may be essential in or
der to prevent consumption and to care for
those affected by 1t, will be provided with
out great difficulty.