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123
[1908
Precautions at Home.
In Islington the deaths from Scarlet Fever average 52 every year.
1.—Isolate the patient in a room (exposed to sunlight, if possible) from
the other inmates of the house, and allow no person to enter it except
the nurse and the doctor.
2.—When possible all persons who have not previously had the disease
should be sent out of the house to reside elsewhere.
3.—Hang up a sheet outside the door of the sick room, and keep it
constantly wet with a disinfectant.
4.—Have the patient's room properly warmed and ventilated, but without
draughts. Admit fresh air by opening the upper window sash. Keep
the fire-place and chimneys open, using a small fire, when possible, to
promote ventilation. Allow air to pass freely through the other part
of the house by means of open windows and doors.
5.—Remove from the room intended for the isolation of the patient all
unnecessary furniture, carpets, curtains and other articles likely to
retain infection.
6.—Remove no articles, used in the room for the patient, or in the
preparation of the food of the patient, from the room once he or
she has occupied it without previously disinfecting them.
7.—All cups, glasses, spoons, pans, etc., used by the patient, should be
first washed in disinfectants and afterwards in boiling water before
used by any other person.
8.—Receive all discharges from the patient into a disinfectant. Add disinfectants
plentifully to the discharges before emptying them into the
closet.
9.—Pour daily into every sink, closet, or privy, a quantity of disinfectants.
10.—Persons attending on the sick should wear garments made of cotton,
or other washable material. Woollen dresses should not be worn as
they readily convey infection. The attendants should wash their
hands, using a disinfectant, after waiting on the sick person and
before eating. They should not unnecessarily communicate with the
other inmates of the house.
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