DIPHTHERIA 197 



" after scattering wet newspapers, sawdust, or tea-leaves on the 

 floor to prevent the dust from rising. After sweeping, the dust 

 upon the woodwork and furniture should be removed with damp 

 cloths. The sweepings should be burned and the cloths soaked 

 in the carbolic solution. In cold weather the sick person should 

 be protected from draughts of air by a sheet or blankets thrown 

 over his bed while the room is being aired. 



4< When the contagious nature of the disease is recognised 

 within a short time after the beginning of the illness, after the 

 approval of the Health Department Inspector, it is advised that 

 all articles of furniture not necessary for immediate use in the 

 care of the sick person, especially upholstered furniture, carpets, 

 and curtains, should be removed from the sick-room. 



" When the patient has recovered from any one of these dis- 

 eases the entire body should be bathed and the hair washed with 

 hot soapsuds, and the patient should be dressed in clean clothes 

 (which have not been in the room during the sickness) and re- 

 moved from the room. Then the Health Department should be 

 immediately notified, and disinfectors will be sent to disinfect 

 the room, bedding, clothing, etc., and under no conditions should 

 it be again entered or occupied until it has been thoroughly dis- 

 infected. Nothing used in the room during the sickness should 

 be removed until this has been done." 



Where the parents have not ample means to pro- 

 vide for the services of a trained attendant, and a 

 suitable room for the isolation of the patient, it will 

 be much better for the sick person, and for all con- 

 cerned, to send the patient to a contagious-disease 

 hospital, when this is practicable. The diphtheria 

 bacillus resists desiccation for a long time and rooms 

 or clothing soiled with material containing this deadly 

 disease germ remain dangerous for months if they 

 have not been properly disinfected. 



