BACTERIOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL. 
Methods of 
Communica¬ 
tion. 
Domestic 
Animals. 
Sources of 
Communication 
Unknown. 
SCARLET FEVER, MEASLES, GERMAN MEASLES, 
CHICKEN POX. 
The germs causing scarlet fever, measles, Ger¬ 
man measles (Roseola) and chicken-pox are 
found in the secretions from the nose and throat 
and in the desquamating (peeling or flaking) 
skin. The disease can be contracted through 
direct contact with the afflicted person, articles 
used in the sick room, such as books, toys, cloth¬ 
ing, food or dishes, and also in the dust and 
sweepings of the ward or room. This is espe¬ 
cially true of scarlet fever and measles, and the 
nurse needs to be more than ordinarily cautious, 
as the disease can be communicated to the well 
just as long as any desquamating skin remains. 
Disinfection before desquamation ceases is prac¬ 
tically a waste of time. Cats and dogs are be¬ 
lieved to carry the germs in their coats and 
should be kept out of the sick room. Use car- 
bolized oil as an inunction in all of these dis¬ 
eases to prevent or lessen the danger from float¬ 
ing particles of skin. Gowns and bed linen, 
which are full of these particles, should be re¬ 
moved carefully and placed at once in a 
disinfectant solution. Do not shake them 
about the room. Dust all furniture with a cloth 
wrung out of a disinfectant. Destroy all toys, 
books, etc., used by a scarlet fever patient, by 
fire preferably. Be very thorough in personal 
disinfection before going to another case. 
Mumps. In mumps it is deemed wise to dis¬ 
infect discharges from the throat and nose. Al¬ 
though it has not yet been proven how the dis¬ 
ease is contracted, it is conceded by all to be a 
communicable disease. 
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