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47
APPENDIX II.
PLUMSTEAD VESTRY.
Precautions against Consumption.
1. Consumption is an infectious, curable disease.
2. The infection however never attacks people unless their system is
seriously weakened.
3. Most of those who get Consumption have inherited a special weakness
of the lungs from their parents, but in other cases the Bystem is
weakened by intemperance, want of nourishment, disease, and insanitary
conditions, especially confinement to close unventilated rooms, in damp
houses.
4. The infection is conveyed in two ways:—
(1). By breathing or swallowing infectious particles from the
sputa of consumptive persons. If the sputa becomes dry,
the infection may be inhaled as dust with the air
breathed.
(2). By swallowing the milk or meat of tuberculous animals.
5. Consumptive persons should never spit on the floor or into handkerchiefs,
but into some cup containing some disinfectant, or, failing that,
some water. The cup should be frequently emptied down the w.c., and
washed out with boiling water. Disinfectants may be obtained free at
the Health Offices, Maxey Road.
6. If no kind of vessel containing liquid is at hand, small pieces of rag
or paper may be used. These should be burnt as quickly as possible, or
the pieces may be thrown down a water closet.
7. For those who have to leave home, pocket spittoons may be bought
through any Chemist—price, about 3s. 6d.
8. Consumptives should carefully avoid swallowing their own expectoration,
or they may reinfect themselves.
9. Consumptives should avoid kissing altogether.
10. All danger of infection from milk and meat of tuberculous animals
may be avoided by boiling the milk and thoroughly cooking the meat, preferably
by boiling. Members of Consumptive families should specially
attend to this rule.
11. Close and crowded rooms, concert halls, theatres, and public houses
should be avoided.
12. The rooms occupied by a Consumptive person should contain ro
unnecessary furniture; and, especially curtains, bed hangings, clothes
hanging about, should be avoided as far as possible. The rooms should be
frequently cleaned out when the Consumptive is not in them.
On the Consumptive ceasing to occupy any room, it should be
thoroughly disinfected. This will be done, on application, by a Vestry
Official, free of charge.
13. Consumptives should pass as much time out of doors as possible,
and when indoors the room should be well ventilated.
When sufficient clothing is worn the windows may safely be kept
open day and night, unless the weather is very severe, but draughts must
be avoided. As much sunlight as possible should be admitted.
14. No one else should occupy the same bed with a Consumptive
person, and where possible a separate bedroom should be used.
15. When the above precautions are taken there is no danger of a
Consumptive person infecting anybody else.
Medical Officer of Health, Plumstead.