The Washington times., 1914-05-14

the Ills that the infant flesh encounters
is undeniably absurd.
Source of Contagion.
AS plain as the eyes in your head is
the fact that the attendants upon the
isolated child, whether he be walking
around or confined to his room. must,
like the individual, have a complete
outfit of plain. clean. and easily washed
and ironed garments.
This is as true for the mother, relative
or doctor as it is for a nurse. The face
and hands should be frequently washed
with absolute thoroughness, and the
hair and head are to be kept covered
and frequently washed with soap
shampoo.
These procedures are not as trouble
some as they at first thought would ap-
near. Soon after they are begun-that
is to saw. when one of the children falls
ill-they become as habitual as walking.
perhaps the greatest source OF con-
tagion. next to the mother or relative
who fails to wear a washable covering
as she approaches the child, is the chlld
that has so mild an infection with the
microbes of measles, chlckenpo&, or
v.hooping cough. that she is allowed to
mingle with her brothers, sisters, and
other children. She eats at the same
table DlayS with the same toys, or even
wanders about the streets.
physician once entered street car,
shifted his nose once or twice, and
shouted aloud: There is some one in
this car with smallpox Immediately
the car was emptied of everybody but a
yelled woman and himself. The fable
hath II that he ''smelled the smallpox"
But the fact is notorious that doctors
NAV shout as much as they will in
crowded street car, school, or other pub
lie place. that there is case Of
whoopinC cough. measles, or chicken
pox. and not soul would STIR. Yet each
Of these maladies is much more serious,
and oftener fatal. than smallpox
An Attic Hospital.
Perhaps the most vital error that the
loving mother makes as she attends
the child with measles or any other
contagious disease is TO continue her
duties 10 the we'll children.
II she cannot avoid doing this she
must make complete changes of cloth
ing at every exit from the sick room.
cap for the hair and a gingham wrap
per apron that has sleeves and but
tons completely up TO and around her
neck make A pretty good uniform.
She must not only SaTSle or spray
her throat and nose frequently, but this
all the children and adults roundabout.
A teaspoonful of boraciC acid to 4 glass
OF water Is a safe solution for this pur-
pose.
The top room OF the house, if airy.
sunny. and simply furnished is as good
as a private hospital room. Dr. John
Hemmeter, of Baltimore. is now advo-
eating a Law to require that hospital
room with a bav window be, in the
future. built in every home. however
humble IT may he. Indeed. such a
room is as necessary as A path ROOM
and Just as useful. When. happily,
not in use for the end intended a hos
pital room makes an excellent bed
chamber.
However, from whichever room is
taken for this home hospital all loose
hangings. embroidery. upholstery. and
CarpetinG must be removed. Free ven
rilation that is warm. and dampened
walls and floors To keep down dust are
also necessary. The ceiling. floors. and
walls may be wiped with Cloths-after-
ward burned-wet with some mild anti
septic such as a ! per cent Carholic
acid As for keeping vessels with this
or any other disinfectant in the room,