124 BACTERIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



the nurse in the execution of all of the details of 

 nursing a diphtheria patient. Scrupulous cleanli- 

 ness of bed and body linen, of mouth sponges and 

 dishes, and especially of the hands and finger nails 

 of both the patient and the nurse, should be observed 

 at all times. 



Prophylaxis. The use of anti-diphtheritic serum 

 as a means of protection against diphtheria is em- 

 ployed to a considerable extent with well children 

 when diphtheria attacks other members of a family 

 or school; the immunity thus acquired lasts about 

 three weeks. The other measures employed to pre- 

 vent the further spread of the disease are complete 

 isolation of the patient and nurse, the sterilization by 

 heat and chemicals of all clothing, dishes, utensils, 

 instruments, etc., and the consistent practice of clean- 

 liness in the minutest details. 



A common and dangerous mistake in the care of 

 diphtheria patients is to break the quarantine 

 directly the throat shows no sign of membrane. It is 

 found that diphtheria bacilli are present in the throat 

 for days and sometimes weeks after convalescence 

 seems fully established, consequently the patient 

 should be kept in isolation until the throat is entirely 

 free from bacilli. Some boards of health require 

 two negative cultures for release from quarantine. 



