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isolation, even as it only affects the patient, this one fact
would support such action:—Of the ten cases of
Diphtheria nursed at home, 5 died, that is 50 per cent. Of
the 106 cases nursed in hospital, 12 died, that is 11 per
cent. When to this we add the advantageous protection
to the entire community, which removal to hospital
involves, there can be little doubt as to the necessity of
such action. Especially is this the case when it is
remembered that Diphtheria, Enteric and Scarlet Fever,
are all readily spread by personal contact.
3. Isolation of Family.—Notice is sent to the Head Teachers of
the schools, where children in the infected house attend,
to the effect that a case cf infectious disease has occurred
in that particular house. By this means the school
authorities are able at once to exclude children from such
an infected house. Ten days after the first notice, a
second notice is sent, stating that the house has been
disinfected and is therefore free from infection.
In cases where any members of an infected family
borrow books from the Public Library, a notice is sent to
the Librarian. Any such borrowed books found in the
possession of the patient are destroyed, as it is now well
recognised that books may act as vehicles of infection.
During the present year (1901) arrangements have been
made by which an advisory notice is sent to the head of
the family in which an infectious disease has occurred
recommending that no members of the family attend
public meetings, etc., until the family is free from infection.
4. Disinfection.—The bedding, clothes, and other belongings of
the patient are thoroughly disinfected in the steam
disinfector, and the rooms fumigated with sulphur, or
formic aldehyde gas. (See page 68.)
5. Sources of Infection.—Upon the receipt of the notification,
the sanitary inspector makes a thorough investigation of
the case, a sanitary examination of the house, and as far as