The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-08-12

certain places may become infected
and persons depart from them before
the disease is officially recognized
1T is as a rule difficult to properly
isolate cholera patients on shipboard
and to keep under observation those
who have presumably been exposed to
infection. Moreover, thorough disin-
lection cannot be thoroughly carried
out while passengers and crew remain
on the vessel, as the appearance of
secondary cases always calls for a
repetition of the latter treatment
Therefore, when a vessel on which
cholera has occurred arrives at quar-
antine, the patient and those held for
observation should be promptly re-
moved except in some special instance
where their detention on the vessel is
justifable, otherwise an indefinite, ex-
pensive, and avoidable delay to COM
merce may result.
mo condition ever occurs on sea or
on land where more thorough disin-
lection is called for than in the pres
ence of cholera. The exact details of
this work connot be specified, as the
requirements differ in each instance.
On shipboard the extent and the char
acter of disinfection required depend
chiefly upon the source of infection,
whether this occurred before deLart-
ure or afterward.
"If infection occurred before en-
barkation and the case was promptly
recognized and isolated, the disinfec-
ton required is far less important than
in instances where there is reasonable
evidence that an infected center exists
''on the ship in the form of a contami-
mated water or food supply, 49,.
THE disintection is very much sim
Iplified II it is understood that cholera
is contracted only through the mouth
lby contaminated water or food, or by
the hands or articles which have been
in contact with the intestinal dis.
charges of cholera patients, and not
by the general supply of clothing, bed
ding, etc.
THE only clothing which needs at
tention is that belonging to the sick
and possibly to those in close and pro-
longed contact with the patient. The
clothing, baggage and effects of 9TH
ers on board and also the vessels car
go need not be disinfected or dis
turbed.
Water tanks should receive the
most careful consideration and should
be disinfected and emptied if there is
the slightest evidence Of their being
the source of infection. However, there
, is but little danger OF this on modern
=, passenger vessels.
| Great care should be taken by
: quarantine officers and their employees
in the removal of a case of cholera
/ from an incoming vessel, and in dis
, infection, ETC., to avoid contracting the
disease themselves and transmitting il
, to others. They should neither eat
drink, nor smoke on board, in order to
avoid mouth infection. Subordinates
art apt to become careless about
these details and should therefore al
ways work under the careful observa.
ton of a medical officer.
Rubber gloves, and also stiff-back
, rubber overshoes which can be re-
! moved without using the hands and
, which are to be disinfected with boil
ing water each time after use, should
be worn by quarantine employees while
disinfection is being performed. The
Importance of protecting the hands
while dealing with cases of cholera
, cannot be overestimated.
: 'In treating certain diseases of the