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need the contact of a patient suffering from measles, unless that contact
suffers from a cold, chill, or red eyes. It is quite probable that it will
ultimately be found that even further relaxation can be permitted in the
rules as to exclusion of contacts of infection without this practice being
found to result in the spread of infection.
Under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations, 1927
persons suffering from enteric fever or dysentery could be prohibited
from continuing in an occupation connected with the preparation or the
handling of food. The 1927 Regulations were superseded by those of
1953 under which these provisions apply now to typhoid fever, paratyphoid
fever and other salmonella infections, dysentery and staphylococcal
infections likely to cause food poisoning; and not only to those suffering
from these conditions but also to carriers. Under the new powers such
a person can not only be prevented from continuing to work in the
occupation, but can be prevented from entering such occupation.
Disinfection
The surroundings of the infectious person may be contaminated.
The extent to which this will take place depends very largely on the way
in which the organisms leave the body of the patient. In most of the
infections, the organisms leave the naso-pharynx, passing out to the air,
Many of the heavier particles will fall immediately and so will infect the
floor coverings, the bed clothes or the patient's clothing and hands.
Some of the smaller particles remain buoyed in the air, being carried
long distances, but ultimately falling on horizontal surfaces such as floors
or shelves, or infecting curtains. The air then probably does not remain
infective for any very long period. Naso-pharyngeal infections might
also be transmitted by the soiling of the patients' hands or fingers, with
the subsequent contamination of articles including furniture, books or
door handles. Hands are also liable to contamination with the organisms
which cause gastro-intestinal complaints originating in the infected
dejecta. The procedure to be followed, then, to effect sterilisation of
the premises and their contents will depend partly on the degree to which
these are liable to contamination. Another factor is the viability of the
organism away from the human host. Some organisms are so very
delicate that it is only with the greatest difficulty that they can be kept
alive away from the human host. In the case of the infections due to
these organisms, there is little point in carrying out any practice of which
the object is to destroy the organisms. Yet another factor to be taken into
account is the susceptibility to infection of those who might be exposed
to infection in the premises. While a room in which there had been a
case of scarlet fever might not need to receive any special treatment if ij
is to be occupied after the child's recovery only by the mother who had
nursed the child throughout his illness, the position would be very
different if it was to be occupied by an expectant mother nearing the time
of her confinement. With the background of these various considerations,
rules of practice have been evolved upon which is based the Councils
policy in regard to the practice of disinfection following the occurrence
of a case of infectious disease. Departure from the practice might
necessary in special circumstances. As these when required are neces