Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-03-01


who are not immune, then pass
away without any recurrence for
several years, when there will be a
repetition of the epidemic that can
be estimated as surely, IL not as ex-
actly as the periodical revolution of
the heavenly bodies.
Epidemics of typhoid fever break
out from time to time beginning
with isolated cases here and there,
and in few years the fastigium is
reached, after which there is a grad
ual recession of the disease and fin
ally a total absence, during which
time it seems to be gathering ener-
gy for it's next periodical invasion
which will certainly occur unless ef-
forts are taken to thwart it in its
incipiency.
tuberculosis, owing to its SLOW
course and chronicity, would de-
scrib a larger cycle and its periods
Of exacerbation and remission would
occur at much greater intervals if
it were possible to observe it
through a long course of time, yet
we learn it is now on the decrease,
either due to it's natural recession or
through preventative measures that
are being brought to bear against it.
These infectious diseases then be-
ing stigmata upon society, and medi-
cinal treatment being so unsatisfac
tory in most cases, the mind of the
physician of the future must be bent
upon their prevention and ultimate
eradication as well as keeping a
keen observation on new infections
which will replace the old. That
these diseases are preventable no
one can gainsay, and prevention
through a long course Of time prac-
tically amounts to annihilation.
Barring those cases in which the
source of infection cannot be deter
mined, epidemics are obviously the
result of a lack of knowledge of, or
a failure to carry out the prophyl-
Tactic measures laid down by any
standard authority on the given di-
seasa.
1t would seem presumptuous to
suggest instruction to modern medi
cal men along the line of prophy-
laXis, yet a brief resume of some Of
the most salient points may not be
/ De ,,Io hn f,ff
the prevention of all of these di
seases consists in isolating the pa
tient and rigidly disinfecting all
clothing and excretions. Cases Of
diphtheria should be isolated for at
least four weeks and then only al
lowed to be at large if there is no
discharges or albumen, and bacter-
biological examination of the nose
and throat be negative Even after
this period the systematic use of
antiseptic gargles and sprays are
valuable. All exposed cases should
be kept in quarantine for at least
two weeks after the appearance of
the rash, and all exposed should be
quarantined for at least 16 days.
Scarlet fever should be isolated until
desquamation, sore throat and albu-
menuria disappear, but never for Il
shorter time than six weeks, and the
exposed should remain in quaran-
tine for at least two weeks. Cases
of small poX should not be at large
until every scab has disappeared.
and then only as in all other exam
themata. after the patient has had
thorough antiseptic bath. Those ex-
posed should be kept under strict
quarantine for at least 16 days.
Special care should be taken in dis
injecting the excreta and clothing of
the typhoid patient, and all of the
secretions from the mouth and nose
of the tubercular patient should be
disinfected or burned their hands
should be kept scrupulously clean,
they should use the same dishes and
boil them each time after use and
occupy separate sleeping apart
ments.
In brief this is the natural history
of infectious diseases, showing that
their advent and disappearance, as
well as their mildness of severity, is
in conformity to natural law. This
with some suggestions as TO the
means employed in their prevention
as well as ultimate eradication is the
object of this paper, A knowledge
of the cause and course of these di.
seases has required years of scien-
tihs investigation which concern the
physician only while the prevention
when once discovered requires no
technical knowledge and can be ad-