CONTAGIOUS DISEASE 289 



well person are the nose and mouth, for the reason 

 that streams of air containing microbes are continually 

 passing through them. The food entering the mouth also 

 forms an excellent means for conveying them into the 

 stomach, provided that the food itself is infected. The 

 main exits for infecting microbes from the body of the 

 diseased person are the discharges from that person, 

 including those of the nose and mouth, as in coughing 

 and sneezing. 



Prevention of disease by personal care. Since the 

 microbes from one case of infectious disease may so 

 readily be transmitted to a great number of persons, it 

 is essential that the person infected should exercise the 

 greatest care to avoid spreading his disease, and that 

 those who are well should similarly exercise the great- 

 est care not to become infected. If each person would 

 follow certain simple rules of hygiene, the number of 

 cases of infectious diseases would be greatly diminished. 

 The more important of these rules may be formulated 

 as follows. 



Avoid unnecessary contact with others, when either 

 they or you are suffering from any acute illness. 



So dispose of all excreta and discharges that no one 

 else can come into contact, even remotely, with them. 

 The best methods are burning, disinfecting with strong 

 disinfectant solution before putting into sewage, and 

 deep burial (in the country) at a distance from wells 

 and other water supplies. 



Burn or disinfect whatever clothing has come in con- 

 tact ivith the disease. 



Protect against insects, particularly mosquitoes and 

 flies. 



Protect food and drink against all insects, since they 

 may carry infection upon their feet. 



