View report page

58
be kept well ventilated and well lighted. The windows should always
be open. Fresh air and sunlight will not only help the patient to recover
but will also help to prevent the other members of the family from
becoming consumptive.
Carpets, curtains and upholstery should not be used in a consumptive's
room. If already in use they should be removed and disinfected. If
the patient's clothes, pillows or bedclothes become soiled with sputum
they should be at once disinfected by steam or washed with boiling
water.
The floor of a consumptive's room should be thoroughly washed with soap
and water at least once a week, and should always be kept free from
dust. The floor should not be swept unless tea-leaves moistened with
disinfectant have first been scattered over it to prevent the dust from
rising.
The best way to remove the dust is to wipe the floor with a wet cloth. The
articles of furniture. &c., in the room should be dusted with a damp
duster. Dry dusting and sweeping may scatter infectious dust about
the room and thus be a source of danger to the patient and to other
persons. Every three months the walls should be rubbed down with
dough which should then be burnt.
Consumptives should not kiss on the lips.
A male consumptive should not wear beard or moustache, but should be
clean shaved.
When it has been decided that any one is suffering from consumption the
house should be thoroughly disinfected.
On a request made in writing to the Health Department disinfection will be
carried out free of charge.
Consumption was formerly thought to be an incurable disease. This is a
great mistake. Recovery from consumption is not at all uncommon.
It depends largely upon the careful observance of the rules on this card.
Other important points are : —
Plenty of nourishing food.
Abstinence from alcohol unless it is ordered by a doctor.
What is good for the cure of consumption is good for the prevention of
consumption. People who keep their windows open and their houses
and bodies scrupulously clean, and abstain from the excessive use of
beer, wine or spirits, are doing a good deal to keep away consumption.
G. F. McCleary, M.D.
Medical Officer of Health.