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

eral cholera infection due to an in
fected water supply.
"Those living in community where
cholera exists may escape infection |
by observing certain simple precau-
lions relating to food and drink, clean
illness, etc.
Cholera is not contracted in the
same manner as smallpox, measles,
ETC., but through the mouth, by infect
ed food or drink containing the spe-
cific organisms of the disease, or by
the hands or articles contaminated by
discharges from the intestinal tract of
those who are carriers of this organ
ism.
Upon the appearance of cholera the
most extended and exhaustive investi-
cation should be made to discover the
medium of infection; this course is
imperative and unless it is carefully
followed out the outbreak will not be
successfully controlled The infu-
ence of the fomites theory regarding
the means of infection is still appar-
ent in connection with this disease,
and clothing, baggage, letters, etc, are
frequently referred to as media of in
lection.
"There is no practical or scientific
support for this belief if clothing di-
rectly contaminated with intestinal
discharges is excluded. The accept
ance of this theory may very seriously
interfere with an early detection OF
the real cause of the outbreak.
"The danger of the introduction OF
cholera from one port TO another is not
so much by typical cases, (Which are
usually easily detected,) as the mild
or irregular ones, which often pass I'M
I recognized. Cholera may appear in
the form of a simple diarThoea, which
eScites little or no suspicion, or it
may appear in a more obscure manner,
and simulate some other affection.
Furthermore, cholera is not infre-
quently transmitted from one place to
another by we'll persons, known a:
carriers, who may act as a medium OF
infection without presenting any
symptoms of the disease. This has an
exceedingly important bearing in the
consideration OF the means by which
this disease is transmitted.
while certain articles Of food OF
drink brought from an infected dis
trlct may contain the specific organ
ism OF cholera and may subsequently
act as media OF infection, there is rea
son to believe that this is not of very
frequent occurrence.
"All vessels arriving from cholera
infected or suspected districts having
on board even mild cases of diarrhoea
or those who are i'll with an affection
the diagnosis of which cannot be clear
~ defined or in which cholera canno
be excluded, should be held until ;
specimen is obtained and subjected t
a ARCHAEOLOGICAL examination.
Neither the vessel, passengers, mol
crew should be released, nor should
any one be allowed to board the yes
sci except the quarantine staff, unit
the meteorological examination is com
pleted and the favorable report pre-
scented. The statement or explanation
of the patient, the ships surgeon, Of
any one else on board regarding the
cause of the sickness should never b.
accepted in lieu of this Lrecaution, NJ
matter how plausible it may be.
This course should also be followed
on any incoming vessel where a pas
senger or member of the crew pre-
sents symptoms suspicious of cholera
even though the vessel may come from
a presumably non-infected area, TO