The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1914-02-28
CARE OF CONTRACTION.
Diphtheria.-I.


serious matter. But contagious
sickness means more in the way of
hardship, for the reason that both the
patient and those attending it must
be isolated from outside friends and
acquaintance. This exclusion of the
contagious sick from the we'll is called
quarantine, and as every one should
understand, is necessary to protect the
public by preventing the spread of di-
sease.
Every well regulated community
now has health officers whose duty it
is to enforce its health regulations and
to see to it that the people are pro-
teeted against the needless spread of
contagious sickness of every kind.
These officers are clothed with author
I ity to enforce the laws pertaining to
health matters; but the highest eff
cheney in the enforcement of all health
regulations is always found in those
communities where the people them
selves are familiar with those laws,
know their value and cheerfully CO.
operate with the health authorities by
observing the laws and in seeing to it
that others do the same. Most people,
it should be said, are both willing and
anxious to obey laws that are made
for their own protection. 1t is there
fore important that they should know
what these laws and regulations are;
for while ignorance of the law does not
excuse US for violating it, yet if we
know what is required of US, we can be
prepared to meet these requirements
in the best way for our own good, and
that of the communities where we live.
So in order that the readers of this
paper may know something about the
city's health regulations, the Depart
ment of Health will furnish in these
columns each week a short article con-
tanning the information people should
want to know about the care of con-
tagious sickness in a way that will
prevent its needless spread in their
neighborhoOd. Let US begin with
Diphtheria.
Diphtheria is very contagious and if
not promptly and properly treated
very dangerous disease. If you sus-
pect its presence, call your doctor with
out delay. The child with a bad sore
throat should have a doctor.
Diphtheria is a disease that should
not occur as We know that it is
caused by germ that finds its lodg-
ment in the nose and throat. When it
does occur, it means that some one
having the disease or who has re-
Gently had it, or who is carrying the
germs has come in contact with the
person who has caught the disease or
who has left the germs upon some
article used by that person.
A person having diphtheria is con-
stantly giving out the germs of the
disease in the discharges from the
throat and nose and these find lodg-
ment on all the articles in the sick
room, including of course, everything
that is touched or handled by the pa
tient. The furnishings in the sick room
should not be removed until the case
is ended and the room has been disin-
fected or cleansed by a thorough air
ing and serubbing. 1t is a fortunate
thing for all of US that the germs of
diphtheria do not live long if in a dry
place or where the air and sun can get
, at them. Sunshine is the best germ
killer we know of, and for this reason
We should not keep it out of our homes
: There is an almost certain cure for
diphlieria; it is diphtheria antitoxin.
But it must be given as soon as pos.
! sible; the sooner the better. Practic.
ally no case of diphtheria dies that
has received a full doze of the anti,
toxin within the first twelve hours
? People who are too poor to buy it can
get it free by applying to the Depart.
? ment of Health or your doctor can get
it for you. Call up the Department
? and ask for the nearest supply station
l You do not need to come to the City
t Hall.
] In next weeks article we will tel
you more about the care of diphtheria
: and the requirements of the Depart
t ment Of Health in this particular di
: sease under conditions that we have
] not mentioned in this article.
: EX-BANKER sKIPs; TAKES WIPE
John worthington Disappears From
e His Drexel boulevard Apartments