12 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



which have their mess tents screened than it is among those taking 

 no such precaution. 22 



The possibilities of infection can hardly be overestimated, when 

 it is recalled that typhoid germs may be discharged from the human 

 system several weeks before diagnosis is possible, continue in num- 

 bers 6 to 8 weeks after apparent recovery, and in exceptional cases 

 may persist during a period of years, even though the individual is 

 apparently in excellent health. Even the urine from such persons 

 may contain living typhoid bacilli. 



The first essential in view of the above is to prevent the spread 

 of disease by the prompt disinfection of all discharges, both fluid 

 and solid, from typhoid fever and other patients, thus making im- 

 possible, so far as individual cases are concerned, fly infection. 

 Such treatment should include all cases where there is even a 

 remote possibility of insects or other agents carrying the disease. A 

 very cheap and effective disinfectant, according to Doctor Veeder, 

 is a -strong solution of common blue vitriol or sulphate of copper, 

 a few pounds being sufficient for a hogshead full of disinfectant. 



The greatest care should be taken to exclude flies from the sick 

 room or hospital, especially where there are contagious diseases. 

 The pests not only annoy the patients but may carry the disease to 

 others. Accumulations of exposed fecal matter in the vicinity of 

 human dwellings or camps sho'uld not be tolerated, since disease 

 can be easily contracted from such sources. It should be remem- 

 bered that deposits of human excrement in the open are equally 

 dangerous and that there is a similar menace along the shores and 

 about wharves where excreta are not properly cared for, and sewer 

 mouths frequently exposed. 



Fly control. The old-fashioned box privy should be abolished, 

 unless it is conducted as an earth closet and the contents kept 

 covered with lime or dry earth so as to prevent both the breeding 

 and the infection of flies. This also applies to camp latrines. A 

 modern water-closet and cesspool is by far the safest and best 

 method of caring for these wastes. 



Keeping manure and other fly-breeding materials in fly-proof 

 pits, or the removal of all such matter at frequent intervals, is a 

 most logical way of handling the problem, and though it appears 

 easy, execution under practical conditions is difficult. 



22 Anderson. Amer. Public Health Rep't, 34:97-105. 1909. 



