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46
run no risk to life or health by reason of the unsuitability of
the premises for treating infectious and contagious diseases,
the following precautions must be taken : —
(a) All non-washable articles of clothing, books, etc., all
soft articles, e.g., rugs, carpets, curtains, etc., must be gathered
together and made ready for removal from the sick room.
These infected articles will be collected by the Sanitary
Officials, disinfected and returned to the house. The sick
room should be on the top floor, where it can be readily quarantined.
Avoid all unnecessary articles of furniture—they waste
too much air space.
(b) Place a sheet over the door outside and keep it constantly
wet with an efficient disinfectant fluid such as carbolic
acid I in 40, or 2 per cent. solution of Formalin, or other
chemicals authorised by the Medical Officer of Health. During
the summer months be most particular about flies and
rigidly exclude them from the sick room, and take measures
to destroy them if necessary.
(c) Provide a long white linen gown (overall) which
should be hung outside the sheet-covered door, for the doctor
to cover his outdoor clothes when he visits his patient, and
facilities for washing his hands before leaving the sick room.
A bowl of disinfectant containing a 5 per cent. solution of
Lysoform with a nail brush therein should be supplied for the
doctor to disinfect his hands and nails and stethoscope after
use.
(d) Fresh air is most important and the window sashes
should be regulated in accordance with that view. A small
fire in the grate at all seasons is an aid to ventilation and
infected articles of no value should be at once burned there.
(e) Nurses must wear a washable dress and cover their
hair with a washable cap of ample dimensions. Great cleanliness
and frequent ablutions are most necessary in the interests
of the nurse, and disinfectants should be used by her as a
matter of routine when she has attended to her patient. Nurses
must take their meals apart from the family and come in contact
with them as little as possible. The use of an anti-septic