SCREENING AND FUMIGATION 14S 



tion of these two methods that an epidemic can be 

 stamped out quickly. In the hands of good men, 

 experience has taught that both these measures can 

 be apphed with scientific precision. 



I recommend that both the screening and fumiga- 

 tion in cases of fever be carried out under the direct 

 supervision of the medical officer of health and by 

 his staff. 



The staff of the medical officer should, without 

 delay, be instructed how to seal a room, how to fumi- 

 gate, and how to test the efficiency of the fumigation. 

 The methods at present in vogue for fumigating and 

 disinfecting for diphtheria, scarlet fever, etc., will 

 not do. 



A supply of the necessary materials for screening, 

 including laths and frames, paper strips, fumigators, 

 and fumigating material should be kept in the health 

 office for emergency purposes, and the health officer 

 should know where he can immediately procure addi- 

 tional supplies. Simple rules for the guidance of the 

 men should be drawn up. 



In my judgment, in view of the fact that mosquito- 

 borne diseases cause more sickness and mortality in the 

 tropics than those arising from any other cause, it is 

 not too much to expect that sanitary inspectors and 

 others attached to health offices in the tropics should 

 be taught the precautions to take against them. This 

 is, however, frequently omitted, and instead they are 

 taught principles of European sanitation, which are 

 inadequate to deal with malaria or yellow fever. 



Sc7^eening the Patient and Room. — In either doubtful 



