Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-08-07

'S' "'c ho IOHBer nehItn OtflCorS- As s
result of this strenuous correspondence
there were obtained additional reports o,
Sfs cases OF measles, Is cases Of whoop
ing cough, 90 cases of scarlet fever,
cases OF typhoid fever and two cases of
diphtheria.
OFFICERS DO BETTER
These facts are not pleasant TO re-
late but, being facts, they show the
condition of affairs as to the reportinp
of contagious diseases which existed
last year. I am glad to say that up
TO TWO weeks ago there were only 36
towns failing to report this year, and
most or these are small towns where
possibly no contagious diseases have
occurred The secretary will be glad
to hear from these SO health officers,
however, Just to be sure that there is
someone "on the job" In case anything
does occur.
The conclusion of the whole mat =
ter is that the health officer is by long
ODDS the most influential man In his
community, being invested by law with
powers far beyond those given to any
other office. And with this power
goes responsibility to his community,
ever arduous. irksome and annoying
ever ar1uous. irksome and annying
the duties sometimes become. we must
remember the dignity with which we
are clothed and strive not only for the
fulhllment of the legal but also of the
moral responsibilities which accept.
ance of the Office imposes"
WHY EXAMINATIONS FAIL.
Speaking upon THE Laboratory dag
nosis of Communicable Diseases" DR..
Stone said, in conclusion:
"A large percentage OF the failures of
laboratory results depend upon mistakes
OF carelessness before the material tn be
examined ever reaches the laboratory. !
feel that can not emphasize too strongly
the fact that this sort Of an examination
commences with the taking of the speci-
men outfits are provided with carefully
prepared directions for the collection of
specimens in suspected cases of diph-
liberia, typhoid fever, tuberculosis. ma
laria and syphilis Every word of the
explanatory matter accompanying these
outfits has been carefully thought out and
Is important. These directions should be
read by those not thoroughly familiar
with the methods used. and scrupulously
followed. Failure to properly take speci-
mems may or may not be appreciable to
the bacteriologist
''1f not, he may send reports which are
not only of no value. but actually mis-
leading For instance, n culture from a
case of laryngeal dphtheria may be abso-
lutely negative from the failure on the
part of the one taking the specimen to
touch the affected mucous membrane, or
again patient with pulmonary tubercu-
losis may All a sputum cup with nasal
and mouth secretons. failing entirely to
deeper and diseased respiratory passages
A drop Of blood from n suspected typhoid
case may be entirely ruined for diagnos-
tic purposes by beng dried over heat a
specimen Of urine or feces to be exam
ined for typhoid bacili may be rendered
useless by being sent In n carbolized sput-
um jar. These are only a few of the more
common mistakes which are made every
day and which could be avoided by
little thought and care on the part of the
sender. When the specimens are taken
they should be sent through the mail s.
with the proper amount of postage.
"An packages accompanied by written
postage rate. The failure to attach
sufficient amount of postage Is the occa-
sion for many annoying delays The ex-
cess postage must be paid by some oTe
before the postoffice officials will deliver
the package.
ITO prevent as much as possible this
delay, we have been accustomed to
pay the excess and send a. bill TO the
sender. But this entails an amount of
clerical work and misunderstanding
which would be entirely avoided by a
careful perusal of the printed matter
accompanying the outfit.
The laboratory is for your assis-
lance. 1t is a part Of the state sani-
tary organization of which the State
board of health, the secretary of the
board, the sanitary engineer, the sani-
tary Inspector. and each one of you
are parts. II is only by a thorough
understanding. sympathy and co-opera
ton of all the integral parts of this
system, of SO vital Importance to the
welfare of the State and supported at
so great an outlay of money, energy
and vigilance. that 1t can accomplish
its maximum. If these schools fail to
result in making more perfect this
cooperation. some or all of us have
been delinquent in embracing our OPP
to the fullest extent"
OVERCROWDING IN VERMONT
DR.. Rucker. discussing THE Trans
mission and Prevention of Contagious
Diseases" summed up the problem as
Vermont is rural State. It would
seem ms though its problems We're not
those of overcrowding, yet the opinion
may be ventured that house crowdine
can be found IN even the smallest ham
let's. The rigor OF the winters tends to
increase this and makes all the more
imperative the necessity for controlling
the diseased individual without the
we would have no tubercu-
losis If we absolutely prevent his germ
bearing eXcretions from reaching other
persons, a condition has been produced
which is as though the consumptive was
not, If we prevent the interchange of
sputum we have controlled mumps jdst
as the prevention of the passage of
humon feces to human beings will con-
troll all enteric diseases
THE fact is very simple 1t is
oasic-elemental. Control the disease
Dearer The application OF this prin-
,iple is complex, ever varying. prim-
)rdially human, AS sanitarians we
nave the law behind us and we have
knowledge of the tactics of disease
warfare, which is growing daily. |
There is one more element which we
must have in plenty. n broad and
humanity. If we would
control the human factor in the spread