Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28
STATUS OF TYPHOID
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREVENTION
OF SPREAD OF DISEASE.

According to the views of DR.. Woodward,
the District health officer, whose attention
at present is centered chiefly on the typhoid
fever situation in the District the indi-
vidual who would avoid contracting that
disease must see to it that his food and his
drink have not been exposed either direct
ly or indirectly to- the fever. When such
cannot be done, DR.. Woodward says, the
food should be subjected to heat sufi-
Client to kill any germs which might be in
it, and raw food should be avoided and
all other food should be kept out Of reach
Of the flies.
AS a matter of fact, all milk and water
used, he contends, should be boiled as
safeguard from typhoid, which has ragged
and played havoc in the District for the
past seven months. Even though the sum-
mer season is over and the cold months are
here, typhoid continues to prevail to an UNI
usual extent, which causes the health off,
Gals mteh alarm. The office force was busy
yesterday sending out printed instructions
regarding means for the prevention Of the
spread of typhoid fever. In these tnstruc-
lions, which DIR. Woodward looks upon as
particularly valuable, and which he says
should be carefully read by every resident
Of the District, 1t Is claimed that two con-
ditions are necessary before typhoid can
be developed by person.
What Germs Must Do.
The first condition is that the germs which
are capable of causing typhoid fever must
find their way into his stomach and bow
els In sufficient number to bring about
that result.
The tissues of the body must be in such
condition as will permit the germs to
The germs Of typhoid fever are believed to
enter the body only with food or drink. ex-
cept as careless nurses carry particles Of
excreta directly into their mouths by care
lessness in disinfeoting their hands
Regarding disinfectants in the prevention
and care of typhoid, DR.. Woodward says
disinfecting solutions should be kept about
veniently and freely used. Unless their
use is made easy 1t Is apt to be neglected
A basin containing the disinfecting solu-
with disinfecting solution for use in the bed
pan and urina1 and reasonable quantity
OF disinfecting solution in wash boiled
to receive bed clothing, ETC., are usually
absolutely necessary.
Fifty New Cases Last Week.
During the week ended yesterday there
were fifty new cases Of typhoid fever record
ed at the health Office. The number 1 a trife
smaller than that Of the previous week,
but is an increase OF eight casese over the
corresponding week Of 1905. According to
the records the disease began to subside
Friday, az no cases were reported on that
day. and since then 1t has shown a graft
flying inclination to reduce to its normal
condition At noon yesterday there were
28T cases under treatment, thirteen more
than at this time last year.
according to the health office reports, an
increase In diphtheria during tho week
ended yesterday was reported, twenty-five
new cases Of the disease being reported. an
increase OF ten over the number Of the pre-
fious week. However. the increase Is not
regarded az alarminf. az It 10 expected by
the health officials at this period OF the
year.