HEALTH AND WELL-BEING 43 



conditions of a community through wise sanitary regula- 

 tions, are matters of utmost importance. However, even 

 the healthiest person has times of physical weariness, depres- 

 sion, and weakness. At such times germs already within 

 the body may get beyond control. 



Physicians are required by law to report at once to the 

 Board of Health all cases of contagious disease. The 

 place where any such disease exists is at once quarantined. 

 A placard is posted giving warning of the disease, and 

 forbidding persons to enter or leave the building. Germs 

 of many diseases may be carried on the person or in the cloth- 

 ing of those who have come in contact with an infected 

 person. All members of a family where there is a contagious 

 disease must be made either to remain at home or to keep 

 away from home in order to lessen the likelihood of the 

 spread of the disease. 



The quarantine period varies according to the length of 

 time within which serious danger of infection exists. Before 

 the quarantine of a room or building is removed it must be 

 thoroughly disinfected under the direction of the Board of 

 Health. It is the duty of every person faithfully to obey 

 the quarantine regulations, however irksome these may 

 seem, because of the need to safeguard the health and the 

 lives of others. 



Ships coming into harbor are often held in quarantine 

 when cases of contagious disease have occurred during the 

 voyage, and neither people nor cargo allowed to land till 

 properly disinfected. A quarantine is at times placed upon 

 cattle and horses within certain districts where contagious 

 diseases affecting them have become epidemic. 



The use of formalin (formaldehyde gas in solution) proves 

 a satisfactory disinfectant for rooms and buildings. The 

 furniture should be left in the room, and the bedding, rugs, 

 and all clothing should be so spread out and hung up that 



