Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-11-23

the house placarled. know that many
persons feel a sense of social disgrace at such
procedure. but this is a feeling which Is
entirely unwarranted. 1t is not nearly so
serious n matter as many persons think.
nor docs it involve the inconvenience which
it is generally believed is the case.
Protecting tho Schools
"Nienslcs are chiefly infectious through
tho discharges of the nose ami throat. and
clans and nurses. Another very important
point is that the child who has been i'll
shall not return to school until entirely
cured. The child may feel perfectly we'll,
but there may still be some head discharge
which may spread the 'trouble broadcast
among other children.
''rhe schools. of course. are great source
OF infection in diseases like measles. as we'll
ms in the case Of crowds Of children play.
ing In the streets. and the infection can
spread very rapidly.
Most important of Ill is for the home to
cooperate with the physicians, the health
authorities and the school authorities to
a casual attitude about the whole thing as
is so often the case. On account Of the
limited amount Of space and the large mum.
bcr Of children. the infection can spread
about as rapidly in the schools rs in any
place possible.
'Thc medical inspectors are doing spien.
did work. and all that is needed to control
IN" possibilities of the situation entirely is
the intelligent corporation Of the home
with the authorities who are trying to get
til" situation in hand.
Visiting Nurses Work
Naturally. our own organization is doing
everything possible to assist. The Municipai
Hospital. cannot take care Of nil tho cases
hn ViSfinO 4.
from 100 to 200 cases of measles ali the
time.
But Of just as much importance as this
is the work We are trying to do in instruct.
ing the mothers as to prevention Of infpc.
'i"n among the other children of the home
and of the ncighborhood. The mothers are
generally very responsive and will listen nn,
carry ont he Instructions carefully to the
best OF their ability
why's and the whercfores Of the situation {;
why such II thing should be done and why
such thing should not be done. The
IS"ia,i ion OF the sick child is another thing
Whch we show the mothers how to do, and
they are usually only too willing to take
th' time and tn" trouble necessary to carry
out the instructions.
Isolation ut Homo
Many persons do not know that in
measles It Is entirely possible to isoatc
the sick child in its own home. This mis-.
| understanding and the fear that the s,cx
child would have to go to n hospital MA y
have something 4" do With the reluctance TO
r"port and pncard the homes where mensles
exist; by showing the mother how this
| may be done at home. we have an opportunity
to get into the house and observe and cor.
| rect; wh'r" necessary. the general sanitary
"Wi'h the proper precautions and by
,oIoWing th" directions given. it is possible
| lnr the mother to take care of the sicl,
| child in her own home and vet hnyc nmn,"
tine to give the necessary attention to Tho
| other children. II these facts we're more
generally understood, tho greatest element
OF danger OF measles would be automatical lly
| removed