The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1914-09-17
|. Sanitation Within and About the

1. Sanitation Within and About the
Home.
On making inquiry regarding the
epidemic Of typhoid sickness at Oakes,
one cannot fail to be impressed 1t
once with the fact that the great ma
jority Of cases in the town are confined
to small and rather definite neigh
borhood. This fact in itself is very
suggestive Of bad neighborhood condi-
tions and would tend to 1t once arouse
suspicious Of careless sanitation in
this particular district.
The writer took the pains to make
a careful investigation Of the sanitary
conditions throughout the town, pay
ing particular attention to the methods
practiced within and about the houses
where typhoid is, or has been. The
result Of these observations has, for
the most part, shown q woeful-but
happily not wilful-lack Of knowledge
as to what precautions should be prac-
ticed in the home itself, to prevent 4
spread Of this disease.
Most people realize in a vague way,
perhaps, that typhoid fever is loath-
some disease and a disgrace to the
community in which it exists. More
than that it is the typical filth disease,
born and bred of filth, 1t is passed
from man to man solely through the
agency of food and drink infected
with the typhoid germ. These germs
that thus get into our mouths come
from but one place-and that is out of
the filth from the bowel and bladder
discharges Of a person suffering from
typhoid fever. Their excretal matter
contains these extremely minute germs
in enormous numbers, each one in it.
SET theoretically capable Of reproduc-
ing the disease when transplanted onto
fresh soil in healthy body.
bearing these facts in mind it is
plain to anyone that the place to be-
gin in controlling typhoid fever is at
the bedside Of the patient. OF first
Importance comes the disinfection of
all excreta, and Of everything that
comes in contact with the patient.
This may be accomplished without q
great deal Of added labor. All dis
charges from the patient should be re-
ceived into an appropriate vessel con-
tanning a strong disinfectant. A
couple of tablcspoonfuls of chloride of
lime in quart of water will accom-
plish the desired result. What is
cheaper and just rs good is freshly
prepared solution Of milk Of lime
This may be made by adding one part
OF dry Stacked lime to four parts Of
water. What is even more important
is to see that the contents of the YES.
sci are thoroughly and intimately
mixed, 80 that the destruction Of all
disease germs is thoroughly accom-.
plished. Without the mixirg thi,
would not take place, and the pur-
pose Of the disinfectant lost. Unde,
ideal conditions these precaution,
should be continued until bacteria.
logical examination could be made
showing the total absence Of the ty.
phoid bacilli in the discharges of tn.
patient. This, because it is known
that some five per cent or more Of
typhoid convalescents continue to ex.
crete living typhoid germs for a period
varying from months to years afte,
their apparent recovery.
Frankly, the writer found that M
such precautions as those outlined
above were being taken or ever hae
been taken in the homes at oake.
where typhoid has occurred. On tn.
other hand excreta was for the mos,
part being dumped carelessly int.
prvy vaults and cess-pools, where tn,
iivlng germs might make themselve.
perfectly at home and thrive on in
definitely; some day to be distributee
thence around the neighborhood b,
means Of our friend the house ly: o,
perhaps seep down into the ground
eventually to find their way into tn,
shallow we'll water. It is evident tha
reither Of these usual and disastrou,
things could take place were the germ
killed before they had chance t,
leave the bedside. Does not this seen
the better and saner way, rather tia,
risk having them distributed broad
cast for the benefit Of some innocen
neighbor!
Z. Filthy Privy Vaults and Cen Pool.
There are rumors abroad at Oake
abeut leaky sewers and . bad smellin,
dump ground, etc, Before We attemp
to lay the blame on leaky sewer. q
m isolated and harmless city dunn,
a ground, Il It not wiser to look aroun
cur back yard and ses what there