CARE OF THE SICK ROOM 323 



In case of diseases to which the young are very sus- 

 ceptible, send the children who have not been attacked, if 

 possible, to other houses where there are no children. 1 



1 There are a few simple rules whose observance will reduce the chances 

 of contagion. These rules should be followed by all, but it is particularly 

 important that children in every household, and especially children in schools, 

 should be taught their significance. The most important rules are : 



Do not spit on the floor. Do not wet the fingers in the mouth for the 

 purpose of turning the leaves of books, especially library or school books, 

 inasmuch as book leaves are sometimes the lurking places of disease- 

 producing bacteria. 



Books used by children recovering from diphtheria or scarlet fever 

 and then returned to a public library may distribute disease through a 

 community. 



Do not put pencils in the mouth. Do not put money in the mouth. 

 This is extremely important, because money is liable to come in contact 

 with all sorts of people and to become contaminated with many kinds of 

 disease-producing bacteria. 



Do not put into the mouth anything that another person has had in his 

 mouth. This refers to gum, apple cores, candy, w r histles, bean blow r ers, 

 drinking cups, etc. 



In towns where the school officials furnish supplies children should be 

 cautioned against putting into their mouths articles belonging to other 

 children. 



Turn the face aside from others when coughing. This will sometimes 

 prevent contagion passing from one person to another, inasmuch as the 

 breath in coughing distributes disease germs. 



Always be particular about personal cleanliness, frequently washing the 

 face and hands. 



Even a knife or a spoon coming from the sick room should be placed in 

 boiling water before it is used by any other person. Water that is simply 

 hot is not sufficient for this purpose. The water must be boiling, and it is 

 better if the articles are placed in the water and the water boiled for five 

 or ten minutes before they are taken out to be used. Adapted from 

 Conn's Bacteria, Yeasts, and Molds. 



