MICRO-ORGANISMS IN VARIOUS DISEASES. 211 



is added in sufficient quantity to make up 

 the strength recommended, 

 (g) Prophylaxis : Wherever human excrement is used 

 as fertihzer, eat nothing raw; boil all 

 water whether used for drinking purposes 

 or for dish-washing, unless the water- 

 supply is above suspicion; boil the milk 

 and water whenever typhoid prevails, and 

 use no ice in water for drinking purposes; 

 -screen house against flies. 

 The essential thing in prophylaxis in typhoid fever, 

 in fact, in all communicable diseases, is to see to 

 thorough disinfection of all infectious discharges in the 

 sick-room. If the latter were done, epidemics of com- 

 municable diseases could easily be controlled. The fol- 

 lowing directions, as given by Prof. Osier, are the pre- 

 cautions followed in the Johns Hopkins Hospital to 

 guard against the spread of typhoid fever: "Dishes 

 must be isolated, washed, and dried separately, and 

 boiled daily. Thermometers must be isolated, kept 

 in bichloride of mercury (i-iooo), which must be re- 

 newed daily. Linen, when soiled, must be soaked in 

 carbolic acid (1-20), for two hours before sending to 

 the laundry. Stools must be thoroughly mixed with 

 an equal amount of milk of lime, and allowed to stand 

 one hour. Urine must be mixed with an equal amount 

 of carbolic (1-20), and allowed to stand one hour. Bed- 

 pans and urinals must be isolated and scalded after 



