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virulent form. The bacillus may, in the absence
of further treatment, give rise to a second attack of
the disease in the patient, and can infect any with
whom the patient may be allowed to come into
contact. The want of a bacteriological test of freedom
from infection renders the fixing of a period of
quarantine for patients treated at home a very difficult
matter. The practice of the Department is to
accept the certificate of recovery sent in by the
medical attendant without demur, even if such certificate
be forwarded within (say) three days after notification.
With scarlet fever, on the other hand, it is
easier to define the infective period, by reason of the
commonly accepted view that the patient is infectious
so long as desquamation persists. As a rule six to
seven weeks are required for the completion of desquamation,
and should a certificate of freedom from
infection be received after a period of isolation much
shorter than that standard, the circumstances of the
case are specially inquired into before disinfection is
carried out.
The processes available for the disinfection of
living rooms, apart from the furniture, etc., are:—
(1.) Fumigation by chlorine gas, evolved from
chloride of lime, sulphurous acid gas (S02), nitrous
acid gas, etc.
(2.) Washing of walls, ceiling, woodwork, etc.,
with various disinfectant solutions, such as 1% sol.
chloride of lime.