Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-01-18
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CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Their Prevention and Control.
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by DR.. c. Fl. WERNER,
County Health Officer.

County Health Officer.
Not the least Of the many cares
which beset those who are entrusted
with a a considerable number of
children is the anxiety lest one of the
contagious diseases break out among
their charges. Although some of
these "childrens diseases are usual
ly mild, there is none that may not
be serious, and we are now we'll aware
that measles and whOoping cough, Of
ten thought to be unimportant dis
eases, are frequently serious in their
results. The prevention of these vari-
Gus diseases lies largely in the avoid
ance of contact with the infection.
In order to carry out this proven
ton it is necessary to isolate cases
from the rest of the children on the
appearance Of the very first symptoms
of the disease, and therefore it behoves
those who take care of the children
to be keen to observe slight indispo-
sitions which may be the earliest
signs Of trouble.
Children are, however, much more
delicately balanced than adults, and
are prone to slight illnesses of an
indefinite nature. Ii every departure
from normal were strictly quarantin-
ed-wbile doubtless much good would
be accomplished in preventing the
spread of some of the slight Illnesses
which are often observation-disclosures
tine OF the institution would be so fire.
quently interrupted that without pro-
hibitiye expense no systematic in
struction or management could be
carried out.
The diseases which we shall consider
are measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria
whooping coupgh, mumps, German
measles "a better name for which is
rubella), and chicken pox. In gem
eraI, d child who develops an illness
of any sort should be kept from 9TH
err children as much as possible I'M
til it is definitely known what ails him,
but children who show the beginning
symptoms of the above diseases should
be Immediately and completely iso-
lated and placed under proper super
vision. 1t is we'll known that the be-
ginning catarrhal stage of measles
and the initial vomiting of scarlet
fever are contagious, even though the
eruption or breaking out" on the
skin does not appear for some time.
In the first Eve OF the diseases mem
toned above the contagion is prob
ably spread by the moist invisible
particles thrown from the throat in
coughing or speaking. The sneez-
ing of the initial stage of measles
Is Particularly infectious. We can
thus Lndeisf stand how these diseases
may be catching before any one is
able to make a definite diagnosis. |
The institutions which recognize this
fact and act on it, are most success |
full in protecting their charges from |
infection. Furthermore, just we know
that typhoid fever, dyptheria, and cere-
brospinal meningitis may be contract |
ed from persons who themselves show
no signs Of disease. so it is possible |
that scarlet fever, German measles, |
and mumps may be broght into an
institution by those who are about to
he sick, or who have Just recovered, |
or even by persons who remain prac-
tically well. It is the intimate con-
tact, especially indoors, that consti-
tutes the chief danger from epidemic |
diseases in institutions.
Much reliance can be placed on the |