The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-09-21
CARE OF
DIPHTHER|A
IN CITY

An interesting circular Of instruction
stating the conditions under which quar-
antine will be raised by the health de-
partment In cases Of diphtheria. was re
Gently issued to the physicians in the
city OF Providence by DIR. Charles "
Chaplin, superintendent OF health.
The principles and reasons for such a
ruling may be read with profit by all ply
sicians in the state. say the state board
OF health in the monthly bulletin.
Owing to the objections which devel-
oped to the use OF cultures for deter
mining when the warning sign should
be removed in cases OF diphtheria, this
method of determining the duration Of
isolation was abandoned some time since
The rule now in force is TO remove the
warning sign within certain time cat
present 10 days. after the disappearance
OF the exudation. II there is no exuda-
tion the warning sign will be removed
10 days after the beginning OF the sick
ness.
I'm order TO determine the date Of re-
moval, IL is necessary for the physician
TO report to this office when the ex-
udation disappears, or II there Is no
exudation, to report that fact.
PURPOSE OF DISINFECTING.
1.-The purpose in disinfecting after re-
covery from diphtheria is to destroy the
diphthera bacilli clinging to the wood
work furniture clothing or other arti-
cles about the house 1t appears 10 be
rather absurd 10 attempt TO do this unless
we can be sure that no members OF the
family continue to propagate these bacilli
IN their secretions.
Hereafter no house will be disinfected
di,,ht We cCiN n
negative cultures are obtained from the
throat and nose OF every member Of the
family OF course II cultures are taken
and prove to be positive, the parties will
naturally be particular to keep the pla-
card on the house and remain I'm isolation
until the bacili disappear.
THE reason why dsinfection Is TO be
abandoned except under the conditions
named is, first, because It is clearly use
less to disinfect a house while bacilli are
being thrown off by the inmates; and
second. because by disinfection under
these circumstances an entirely erro-
neous idea is encouraged--that infected
things rather than infected persons are 10
be feared
PERSONS ARE DANGEROUS.
"The truth is that persons rather than
things are dangerous. 1t is very seldom
that living diphtheria bacilli can be
FOUND on tne IuTlllluIfs WbVuWNlh W
bedding Of room where n person has
been sick with diphtheria: but as you
doubtless know, II Is very common to
6nd diphtheria bacili growing for many
weeks I'm the throats and noses Of con-
valescents In members OF the family who
have not been sick
For various reasons the ISOLATION re-
uulred for diphtheria I'm Providence has
OF late been less strict than In most
other cities The warning sign Is re-
moved I'm n very short time. II would
seem prudent and productive OF little
hardship. 10 keep the children out OF
school for n somewhat longer time.
Hereafter. then, children I'm n diph-
liberia family will not he allowed 90 re-
turh 10 school until one month from the
beginning of the sickness II. however.
any feel aggrieved at this rule they have
the opportunity 10 get n school permit
after two successive negative cultures
from both the throat and nose OF the
children who wish TO return TO school
These cultures NAV be taken -.er the
warning sign has been removed by the
attending physician. or the children may
be brought 10 the city hall for that pur-
pose