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Notice should be sent to the Public Health Department if there
are any Public Library Books in the house, and no books must be
borrowed until the house has been disinfected.
If treated at home the patient must be confined to one room, and
no one except the person in charge allowed to enter the room. All
unnecessary furniture should be removed from the sick room forthwith,
and the floor and furniture should be frequently wiped with a damp
cloth. Fresh air must be freely admitted, a fire being lighted if
necessary.
Attendants should wear washable dresses, should wash their hands
immediately after attending the sick person, and should always wash
their hands and faces and change their shoes and outer clothes before
going off duty.
No domestic animal should be allowed to enter the sick room.
No children should be allowed to visit the infected house.
A patient suffering from this disease is generally DANGEROUS
TO OTHERS for a period of at least three weeks, and must not be
allowed to mix with other people until the Medical Attendant certifies
that there is no danger. There is risk of infection while there is any
sore throat, or any discharge from ear or nose, or while diphtheria germs
can be detected in the throat.
Examinations for the detection of diphtheria germs are made at
the Borough Laboratory, free of cost. The necessary arrangements
will be made by your Medical Attendant.
DISINFECTION.
1.—All soiled linen should be at once placed in a tub of water to
which a handful of ordinary washing soda has been added, soaked for
twelve hours, and then boiled in a copper. Materials which cannot be
boiled should be soaked for one hour in liquid disinfectant, and then
washed.
2.—Special cups, saucers and spoons should be used for the
patient, and any spare food from the sick room destroyed.
3.—Discharges from ear, nose or mouth should be received on a
rag, which should be at once burnt, as also should any dust collected
in the room.