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24
SANATORIA.
Proper Sanatoria for the open air treatment of Consumption ought to be provided by the
Boards of Guardians, instead of sending consumptives as at present to the general infirmaries. At a
meeting of the representatives of the Metropolitan Guardian Boards at St. Martin's Town Hall last
year, this subject was discussed and agreed to and referred to the Local Government Board, with a
view to the necessary steps being taken by that Board for the carrying out of the proposal. This
Council as Sanitary Authority might assist by writing to the Guardian Boards of the Borough and
the Local Government Board, advocating the above proposal.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF SPUTUM.
As the sputum or expectoration of consumptives often contains large numbers of the germs of
tuberculosis, before a certain diagnosis can be made by other methods of examination, and prevention
and cure can be more successfully carried out in the early stages of the disease, it is desirable that the
Medical practitioners of the Borough should have facilities for this bacteriological examination given
them by the Council.
I have on previous occasions referred to the general Sanitary measures that assist in the
prevention of consumption.
LEAFLET.
The following leaflet which was approved by the Public Health Committee, was distributed in
the Borough.
Consumption is an infectious and preventable disease.
Thousands die annually.
It is spread chiefly by inhaling the spittle of Consumptives which has been allowed to dry and
float in the air as dust. The spittle contains the germs which cause the disease.
Consumptives should spit into a cup or pocket spittoon containing a little water, or into pieces
of paper that can be at once burnt.
The spittle in the cup or spittoon must, at least daily, be burnt or washed into the drain, and
the cup or spittoon thoroughly cleansed in boiling water.
For wiping the mouth a piece of rag or paper should be used instead of a handkerchief, and
afterwards burnt.
If handkerchiefs are used they should be put into boiling water or into a disinfectant before
they have time to become dry.
Disinfect in the same way all soiled linen.
The following is a cheap disinfectant that may be used:—¼b. of Chloride of Lime, well
stirred into a gallon of water.
Consumptives should not swallow their spittle.
Recover}' from Consumption is not uncommon, with plenty of fresh air and good food.
Intemperance tends to aggravate the disease.
Patients in crowded rooms should be removed if possible to a suitable Institution or a
Country Home.
The Patient should sleep with the window open, with a screen to prevent draught.
Thoroughly cleanse every week the floor, furniture, and room.
Do not stir up the dust, but use wet dusters and wet tea-leaves or sawdust. Afterwards boil
the dusters and burn the tea-leaves or sawdust.
Consumptives should have separate beds and ought not to sleep in rooms with healthy persons,
and should not kiss or be kissed on the mouth.
All meat should be boiled, and meat well cooked.