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The phlegm should always be spat out by the patient and not swallowed, or
the disease may be thereby carried to other parts of the body.
The rooms occupied by a consumptive person should be supplied with plenty
of fresh air and open to sunlight, both of which tend to destroy the germs ; and
any soiled clothing should be at once disinfected—where possible by boiling
water.
A continuous supply of fresh air, admitted through the window, can be
tolerated night and day if either of the following arrangements is made :—
1. Raise the lower sash of the window for six inches and then closely
fit, into the open space below, a wooden board. Air then enters
where the upper and lower sashes overlap, without causing a
draught.
2. Open the window at the top for six inches and fix a muslin curtain,
or nail a piece of muslin, so that it covers the open part. By
this device draughts are very much reduced.
3. A screen reaching to a little above the head of the sufferer can be
placed alongside the upper part of the bed, on the window side.
No draught will then be felt by the sufferer.
On a consumptive person ceasing to occupy a room, this will be disinfected
free of charge if application is made at the Town Hall. Anyone who occupies
such a room before it has been thoroughly disinfected runs a risk.
Many animals suffer from Consumption. The milk from consumptive cows
may contain the germ and raw milk is therefore dangerous, especially to children
of a consumptive parent, unless first boiled or sterilized; and meat should
always be thoroughly cooked through. Boiled milk and well cooked meat
(served with gravy) are as nutritious as unboiled milk and underdone meat.
Although a consumptive person should not be kissed on the lips and should
occupy, where possible, a separate bed, there is no infection given off in the
breath of the consumptive person, or from the skin (except where there are
discharging sores) and if the above precautions are strictly carried out he will
materially improve the prospects of his own recovery and need not be a source
of danger to anyone.
HENRY KENWOOD,
Medical Officer of Health.