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paralysis leads in many cases to a fatal issue. Any particular case
may follow one or other course, lasting many weeks, or the membrane
may gradually disappear, the fever, &c., diminishing, and the
patient soon recovering. The fatality varies in different epidemics;
but a very mild case in one person may cause a most serious case in
another. Prom consideration of the above facts it must be apparent
how desirable it is to prevent the disease spreading from one
person to another.
MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED TO PREVENT
THE SPREAD OF DIPHTHERIA AND
MEMBRANOUS CROUP.
1. Any child or adult suffering from the symptoms of diphtheria
or membranous croup should be isolated by removal to a room apart
from the remainder of the household, from which all unnecessary
clothings, hangings, carpets, &c., have been removed. If the
disease is only suspected from the presence of sore throat and fever
the same isolation should be practised. A sheet moistened with a
solution of carbolic acid should be hung over the door to the room.
2. As the discharges from the nose or mouth may convey the
disease, these should be received on pieces of soft rag and
immediately burned.
3. The washable clothing and bedding and the towels before
removal from the sick room should be placed in a receptacle
containing a solution of carbolic acid (two tablespoonfuls to one
pint of water), cups, saucers, spoons, &c., should be scalded before
being used by others. No food taken out of the sick room should
be consumed by others.
4. Persons attending upon the sick person should wear a
washable overall in the sick room, changing the same and washing
their hands before leaving and associating with others.