The Cordova daily times., 1917-03-13
QUARA N TINE |S DISCUSSED BY
 DR. CHASE

ant health commissioner for the ter. ritory, contributes the following in teresting article on Infectious dis eases" to the initial number of the Quarterly Bulletin, issued by the Alas. ka Medical Association of the Third division:
 When communicable disease makes its appearance, a moral and positive duty confronts each and every physician in the community.
 The physicians knowledge and training places him in a position of authority whereby, by prompt and eff. fective action, it is within his power, to confine, suppress and exterminate an epidemic in it's infancy
 When physician is called to at. tend the sick and is confronted with condition which may be indicative of a contagious disease and which might require further observation to determine the true nature of the ill., ness, it is his positive duty to enforce a vigilant precautionary measure, whereby no person should be permit ted to enter or depart from the prem ises until such time as a positive diag- nosis shall have been determined.
 The physician should employ every preventive means within his power, to the end that the public health may be protected. Precaution should sur round his every act. This is the time and opportunity to demonstrate his worth and establish his professional prestige in the community where he may reside.
 Fortunately the legislature of the territory of Alaska has passed legis- lation which provides for an effective public health service.
 Under this act the governor of the territory was made ex-officio commis- sioner of health to fill the newly created office with authority to ap- point an assistant commissioner for each of the four judicial districts of the territory.
 The act further authorizes the or. ganization of local boards of health in each school district outside of the incorporated towns and cities in the territory.
 These local boards are to be com posed of three members. The chair. man. of the said board shall be the president of the school board. The other members are to be elected or appointed by the school board, one of which shall be a licensed physician, If one be available.
 When contagious disease is dis covered in a community it is the duty of any person with knowledge of the same to immediately notify the proper authorities and their duty is to take all precautionary measures possible until the assistant health commission CT of the district can be notified.
 The assistant commissioner has full authority over all local officials to en- force any and all measures which may be necessary to confine, suppress and exterminate the disease.
 To disinfect or destroy the germs of disease a great many effective me- thods may be employed.
 The old sulphur or birthstone method is gradually becoming obsolete, this being due to its tendency to destroy fabrics, furnishings, etc.
 The ideal disinfectant may never be discovered, as all disinfectants pos sess unpleasant odors and require more or less time to produce the de- sired results. Modern activity de- mands disinfectants which are cheap, harmless and above all, quick in ac- tion. One of the most simple forms of disinfectant which may be en- ployed by the physician and give the desired effective results is the for maldehyde gas. This may be pro- duced by simply spraying formalin on sheet, permitting its evaporation.
 This method may be carried out by hanging sheets over line stretched across room, fastening the lower edges, so that the sheets will hang at an angle of about 45 degrees. To ob- tain the best results the sheets should be dampened before placing them in position. The formalin should then be sprayed on the sheets. An ordinary sprinkler may be used for this pur- pose, but should one not be available grooves may be cut in the stopper of a bottle, which can be used as a shaker.
 About twelve ounces of the forma- lin should be used for each 1000 feet of air space. The room should be ctUsut and aff craciks;- etc, sealed ass tightly as possible, and allowed to remain so for at least six hours, and when possible over night
 This is the most convenient and ef- fective means of disinfection and has the advantage of not leaving any last ing odor and will not injure the most delicate furnishings.
 When more drastic disinfectant is necessary, the formalin-permangana method is recommended. This is a simple procedure, but requires more ottopt{on