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34
It will be seen that, in the case of scarlet fever, the
percentage of secondary cases has dropped from 6.08
per cent. to 5.51 per cent., whereas the relative figure
for diphtheria has fallen from 4.63 per cent. to 3.68 per
cent, during the two periods under review. When
comparison is made between the total figures (including
both scarlet fever and diphtheria) it will be seen that
the percentage of secondary cases has diminished from
5.37 (with steam disinfection) to 5.31 (without steam
disinfection)."
The methods employed with the object of
eliminating danger from fomites have not been described
of recent years. It may, therefore, be helpful to give a
brief resume of the technique employed at the present
time:-
When making enquiries after a case of infectious
disease, the Sanitary Inspector leaves with the person
in charge of the premises a pamphlet of instructions
which reads as follows:-
"The commoner infectious diseases are caught
chiefly from an infectious patient, the breath and
any nose or ear discharge containing the infective
matter. The articles in the house then, which are
possibly infectious, are those which are most
exposed to the infectious sources, namely, the
patient's handkerchiefs, pillow slips and bed linen;
other articles which are possibly contaminated are
his clothing and to a less extent any article in the
room in which he has been at any time since he was
in an infectious state.
Following the removal of an infectious patient,
the person cleansing the room should wear a washable
overall and carry out the following procedure:—
(1) The patient's handkerchiefs, the pillow
slips, small towels, etc., should be placed in a pail