The Topeka state journal., 1919-07-21
NOTE TO PHYSICIANS
City Health Offlcer Brings Attention to
Topeka Regulations.

In a recent letter written to all
physicians in the city OF Topeka, DR..
Earle G. Brown, city health officer.
calls particular attention to the ty-
phoid season which is now well begun.
Doctor Brown mentions the regulation
requiring prompt reporting OF all cases
of typhoid, and asks If any cases
have been unreported.
He lays particular stress upon the
well-known fact that flies are valu-
able agents in the transmission OF
typhoid. His suggestions regarding
provisions for preventing flies follow:
''All rooms in which there are cases
of typhoid fever must be tightly
screened flies must not come in con-
tact with the patient; excreta must
be properly disinfected and taken care
of. The house must be placarded and
fumigated after termination of the
case. The patient to be isolated. No
strict quarantine on well members of
the family, except attendants, who
should remain strictly at home, and
should not prepare food for other
ance of food from the infected house
is interdicted. Impress on the attend
ant, the necessity of sterilizing all
dishes and utensils and of disinfect-
ing the hands"
The report states that since May 1.
10 cases of typhoid fever have been
reported in Topeka. One Of the cases
resulted fatally. Eight are still under
treatment
In regard to inoculations. Doctor
Brown says: "Inoculations are given
daily at the city health department
Approximately $50 persons have taken
advantage of the inoculations and to
date more than 20 have completed the
treatment. If they are unable to pay
for protection send them to the city
clinic and it will be given free of
charge"
. There has been an unusually large
amount of smallpox" the health Of
ficer said, "Since April 1, 2S cases
have been reported, and it is GER
tainty that there have been other cases
the disease. Smallpox vaccinations
may also be obtained free at the city
clinic"
Quarantine Periods.
He mentions the following quaran-
tine periods for the commoner cum
municable diseases:
Smallpox-Patient isolated until
skin is perfectly smooth.
Scarlet fever-UntiI desquamation is
complete. Minimum period of 81 days,
and patient must stay at home two
weeks additional.
Measles-When all symptoms have
disappeared. minimum of IA days.
Chickenpox-After all crusts fall
off, minimum IL days.
Diphtheria-Patient to be isolated
until 2 negative cultures obtained on
two successive days.
Anterior Poliomyelitis-Pati to
be isolated a minimum period of three
weeks.
Whooping cough-Minimum of six
weeks.
Mumps-Minimum of IA days from
the appearance of the disease.
A surprising feature brought out in
the communication is that. since the
city health department began the
campaign against venereal disease. 81
cases have been reported by physi-
clans. The city clinic is now operat-
ing. Patients who are not able to pay
for treatment may receive it free at the
municipal clinic. -,< >, Is -
The health department will install
dark field illuminator in the labora-
tory in few days and Doctor Brown
extends an invitation to Topeka physi-
clans to make use of it.
The health officer closes his letter
by asking for any suggestions physi-
clans might have in regard to operat-
ing the city health department