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A consumptive person, in addition to taking these precautions,
should not be exposed to re-infection by inhaling the dust of the
rooms in which he sleeps or works For his sake, therefore, as well as
in the interest of others, the dust should be frequently collected with
damp dusters, so as not to raise it into the air, and for the same reason
tealeaves or damp sawdust should be sprinkled on the floor before
sweeping. The dusters should be subsequently boiled and the
sawdust and tea leaves burned.
The phlegm should always be spat out by the patient and not
swallowed, or the disease may be thereby carried to other parts of
the body.
The room occupied by a consumptive person should be supplied
with plenty of fresh air and open to sunlight, both of which tend to
destroy the germs; and any soiled clothing should be at once
disinfected—where possible by boiling water.
On a consumptive person ceasing to occupy a room, this will be
disinfected free of charge if application is made at the Vestry Offices.
Anyone who occupies such a room before it has been thoroughly
disinfected runs a great risk.
Many animals suffer from Consumption. The milk from
consumptive cows may contain the germ and is, therefore, dangerous,
especially to children, unless first boiled or sterilized; and meat
should always be thoroughly cooked through. Boiled milk and well
cooked meat (served with the gravy) are equally nutritious and more
digestible than unboiled milk and underdone meat.
Although a consumptive person should not be kissed on the lips,
and should occupy, where possible, a separate bed, there is no
infection given off in the breath of a consumptive person, or from the
skin (except where there are discharging sores), and if the above
precautions are strictly carried out he will materially improve the
prospects of his own recovery and need not be a source of danger to
anyone.
HENRY KENWOOD,
Medical Officer of Health.