298 Life and Health 



Diphtheria is spread by the sputa, saliva, and whatever comes from 

 the throat and mouth of the patient, and by the dust which results 

 from the drying of such substances. The germs of diphtheria some- 

 times remain in the throat weeks after apparently complete recovery. 

 For its restriction and prevention, isolation and disinfection are the 

 important measures isolation of every infected person and thing, 

 and complete disinfection. 



Typhoid fever is not so often contracted directly from the sick 

 person, but usually from the discharges from the bowels and bladder 

 of the patient. These discharges should always be disinfected. 

 Undisinfected discharges, if dried and formed into dust, may spread 

 the disease through the air. The chief source of danger, however, is 

 believed to be drinking water contaminated by sewage or leachings 

 from outbuildings. The germs permeate the entire body of an infected 

 person, and sometimes are found some time after apparent recovery. 

 The germs of typhoid fever are not always killed by freezing, but are 

 killed by boiling. All suspected water should be boiled. 



Scarlet fever has not yet been identified by its special germ, 

 but that there is a germ seems to be proved by the well-known com- 

 municability of the disease from person to person. It is spread by 

 the discharges from the nose, mouth, and throat, and probably also 

 by the minute scales which are thrown off from the surfaces of the 

 body. Isolation and disinfection are the measures by which this 

 disease is restricted. 



THE CARE OF THE SICK ROOM 



464. Ventilation of the Sick Room. Proper ventilation is 

 very essential to the sick room. One of the windows may 

 be let down an inch or more at the top, a screen being 

 arranged to avoid any draught on the patient. Remove 

 all odors by ventilation and not by spraying perfumery, 

 or burning pastils, which merely conceal offensive odors 

 without purifying the air. 



Avoid ventilation by means of doors, for the stale 'air of 

 the house, kitchen smells, and noises made by the occupants 



