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II.—CARD ON PREVENTION OF CONSUMPTION.
Borough of Lewisham.
Public Health Department.
THE PREVENTION OF CONSUMPTION.
The phlegm or expectoration which is coughed up from the lungs of consumptive
persons is exceedingly dangerous to others, as it often contains the
infection of the disease.
If deposited on the floor of a room this phlegm becomes dry, and may then
be distributed in the form of dust and inhaled by healthy persons. In this way
the disease is frequently spread.
Consumptive persons should not, therefore, spit on the floors of dwelling
rooms or public places. A spit-cup or a pocket spittoon, containing a disinfecting
fluid such as carbolic acid or cyllin, should be used. Pocket spittoons may
be obtained at most chemists. After the spittoon is emptied it should be placed
in boiling water for ten minutes.
Consumptive persons should not use ordinary handkerchiefs, but pieces of
linen rag or Japanese fibre handkerchiefs, which can be burned when soiled.
The Japanese handkerchiefs, can be obtained in boxes of 120 for about 1/-. If
the ordinary handkerchief is used, it should be placed in boiling water before
being washed or sent to the laundry.
Consumptive persons should always cover the mouth when conghing. Small
particles of phlegm thrown off in the act of coughing are liable to convey
infection to others.
The room occupied by a consumptive person should be kept very clean, wellaired,
and ventilated. It should be the lightest room in the house, and the
windows should be kept open day and night, a screen being provided to prevent
draught. The room should contain no more furniture than is absolutely necessary.
Wet cloths should be used for dusting the room, to prevent the distribution of
dust which may contain infection.
When possible, a consumptive person should have a room to himself, or if
this is impossible, at least a separate bed. Any room that has recently been
occupied by a consumptive person should not be occupied by anyone else until
the room has been thoroughly cleansed and disinfected.
If by any chance the pillows or bed-clothing should become soiled by expectoration,
they should at once be placed in boiling water, and then washed.
Dust should not be allowed to accumulate anywhere. The germs of consumption
have been discovered in dust which remained in a room many months
after it had ceased to be occupied by a consumptive person.
Bright sunlight is extremely fatal to the germs of consumption. These
germs or microbes thrive in dark and dirty places, under insanitary conditions,
and in unventilated, stuffy, or overcrowded rooms.
The germs or microbes of the disease readily take root and grow in persons
debilitated by illness or alcoholic excess.
On the removal of a consumptive patient, either to hospital or to another
residence, immediate notice should be given to the Health Department in order
that the room vacated may be disinfected. Disinfection of infected rooms and
articles will be carried out free of charge by the Health Department. The
methods used in disinfection cause little or no inconvenience to the occupants of
the house.
Disinfectants can be obtained gratis on application at the various Depots of
the Borough Council.
1906.