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11
The "Dick" test for scarlet fever almost certainly
promises to have a field of prophylaxis by immunization
analogous to that of the " Schick " test in cases of
diphtheria—in fact, it is used and has been found quite
successful at some of the fever hospitals to protect the
staff.
Vermin.—Bugs, fleas and lice are, I think, as
prevalent in this and some other Metropolitan Boroughs
as ever they were, and recent knowledge proves that
they are the origin of much illness, and in the past have
been responsible for our largest pandemics. The
people themselves are strangely inactive regarding
them, because their constant presence with these has
produced apathy, and Science has not, in their experience,
provided a reliable destructor for them.
It is pitiable to see these people wasting their
energy and money on quite useless powders and solutions.
Three recent discoveries, viz., "Sodium Silicofluoride,"
used as a spray in a 1 per cent, solution
(Report from Department of Insecticides, Rothamsted),
"Budge" (used as a preventive in many ships), and
"Exterpest" are now being put to the test by the
Sanitary Inspectors. Such as are found to be efficacious
will be distributed with inexpensive sprays by the
Inspectors to the houses concerned, for use by the
inmates.
In time this will, in all probability, prove of
immense service. The present methods of disinfection
will, of course, be continued, and pamphlets of instruction
distributed.
The public buys carbolic soap and other disinfecting
material, chiefly from grocery shops and stores,
but it is all a waste of money, because it contains by
law (1908) less than 3 per cent, of carbolic acid or its
homologues, and so is quite useless. If it exceeds
3 per cent, it must be labelled "poison"—hence the
public are deceived, for they think they are using a
disinfectant and there can be no danger, for people do