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14
the flesh of which when eaten, if not thoroughly cooked, is
capable of giving rise to the disease, and milk obtained from
cows suffering from Tuberculosis, particularly if the udder be
the seat of the disease, is very often the means by which infection
is conveyed, especially when milk forms the chief article of food,
as in the case of infants and invalids. Milk should, therefore,
always be boiled before use.
All sleeping and other rooms used by a consumptive patient
should be well ventilated and well lighted, a window left partly
open both day and night. If a draught be feared this may be
avoided by the use of a screen or by placing a piece of wood
6 inches wide beneath the lower sash and shutting the window
on to it, thus allowing air to pass up between the middle rails of
the window.
A patient suffering from Phthisis should occupy a separate
bed, and, if possible, a separate room.
A patient should not spit about the house or work place
or in public vehicles or even the street, but should use a spit
cup, wide-mouth bottle or basin containing a small quantity of
disinfectant, and the contents should be thrown down the w.c.
or drain twice a day, and the vessel should be washed out with
boiling water.
Pieces of paper or rag may be used to spit into, provided
they are at once burnt or washed down the w.c. Should,
however, a handkerchief be used, it should be kept moist until
it can be boiled or washed in some disinfectant.
A consumptive patient should not swallow the phlegm, as it
may infect the bowels or other parts of the body.
It is dangerous for a consumptive person to be kissed on
the mouth. Cups, spoons, knives, forks, &c., used by consumptive
persons should be washed in boiling water immediately
after use, and the remains of food left by such persons should be
destroyed.
Dusting of rooms should be done by damp dusters, which
should afterwards be washed in boiling water. Carpets and