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14
Routes of spread.
The infectious diseases are caused by living organisms which
pass from one person to another.
There are two main routes of transmission depending on the
main habitat of germs in the body, i.e., the bowels and the upper
respiratory tract (the nose and throat).
The diarrhoeal diseases (enteric fever, dysentery, food poisoning
and possibly poliomyelitis) are spread by contamination of food
from the bowel, either by inadequate hand washing after the toilet,
flies, or vermin.
The remedy is a higher standard of food hygiene.
The respiratory diseases are spread chiefly by droplets sprayed
out when blowing the nose. "Coughs and sneezes spread diseases,"
especially when a handkerchief is not used; and if used, not frequently
replaced.
Insect borne diseases and water borne diseases are now of
comparatively minor importance in this country, thanks to the
work of public health and engineering pioneers.
Disinfection.
When cases of infectious disease are nursed at home it is of
great importance to disinfect all crockery, utensils, handkerchiefs
and dejecta by boiling, burning or chemicals as may be appropriate.
Library books are disinfected where necessary by the Public Health
Department.
Terminal disinfection of rooms, bedding and blankets is not
usually required after the common childhood diseases. A thorough
spring clean with generous use of soap and water is now considered
adequate.
In certain exceptional cases, smallpox, typhoid and tuberculosis,
terminal fumigation may still be required and this can be carried
out by the staff of the department.