New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-24

which the windows are opened and the
best treatment applied by admitting fresh
air In ships where such a method of
procedure is yd'culi compressed cold air
blown into cracks and crcyices will do the
work of dislcdging the germs left from in
fectlous diseases; other methods which
have been advised are being adopted in
other cases, and an evolution is now going
on I'm matters OF public sanitation, which
/ think will soon net better results In an
other way"
Dr. Polk added that the attitude o. adj
vanced scientists indicated change from
the prevailing idea regarding the potency
OF fumigatiOn, and he fully concurred with
Dr. Doty's views. The latter scouts the
idea that disease germs are transmitted by
things
There is little or no authentic evidence"
he says. to prove that the woodwork
about the room, the furniture. haugincs.
etc, are factors I'm transmitting disease.
evidence is constantly accommodating To
show that they are not the usual media
Of infection. The dsiufection required I'm
the presence Of infectious disease, when
proper isolation has been imposed. is ordi-
narily confined 20 the apartment of the
sick. Even here, II proper sanitary meas
ures have been enforced, the danger OF
infection is practically confined 10 the
patient his discharges and the material I'm
close contact with him The bed or the
floor may become contaminated by dis
charges but not if one Is careful I'm case
the bed does become thus contaminated. II
can be made safe by subjccting the mat
treSs 10 a thorough steaming The walls
and floor may be washed after the illness
Of the patient with soap and water which
Is quite enough If the room is given a
thorough airing after the patient leaves IT,"
Cleanliness in place Of fumigation seems
then, to be the cry Of the medical proeres-
siyes-this and the attempt 10 do away
with the public idea that once a house has
been fumigated all danger of disease dis
appears. The greatest hindrance ia thu.
development Of better methods OF handling
disease and guarding against disease lies
i'm the confidence which the public has I'm
the efficacy Of fumigation, say the anti
fumigationists
The public. and even some members OF
the medical profession. refuse to believe I'm
infection in well persons, but cling to the
old notion that it is things-not persons
that are 10 be feared. To this view people
will cling as long as health officials lay 20
much stress on their official dislnfection.
Many time says one physician. "a
family has lived for months with a con
sumptive who has taken no precautions
about his sputum, and after his death his
family has promptly asked to have the
house fumigated The eXpiatory sacrifice
of dislnfection is believed TO atone for
every sanitary sin. II Is our duty 10 teach
that hyglenic salvation can only be at
tanned through the good works Of personal
cleanliness For ii is through personal
cleanliness that one can guard against mild
and atypical and carrier" cases Of in
fictitious diseases. through which 1t Is very
probable that the disease which is credited
TO things Is really transmitted.
Frequently physicians come across cases
OF scarlet fever without eruption mild sore
throats diphtheretic IN nature and cases
Of typhoid fever where the patients are
walking about unconscious OF the fact