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9
It must he remembered that Cholera is not an infectious disease
usmg the tern. Hi commonly accepted sense. In this respect
it is unlike Typhus. Scarlet Fever. Smallpox, or Measles. Even a
susceptable pw. may pass a day and night in the sick room
with a patient undergoing the suffering that accompanies the
successive stage, of an attack of Cholera with confidence and
safety, provided that the simple rules of cleanliness in nursing
arc rigidly observed.
It may appear somewhat paradoxical to assert that Cholera is
capable of diffusing itself through a population with a degree of
rapidity almost unequalled in the epidemic of anv other disease,
And at the same? moment to declare that it is the least infectious of
the infectious diseases. Vet such is undoubtedly the case, and
herein lies the explanation. Cholera, in the temperate regions of
the earth rarely infects through the medium of the atmosphere.
Infection is thrown off in the discharges. The vomited matter
and the diarrheal secretions are loaded with microbes. When these
are destroyed the infective material is destroyed with them.
But should the nursing not be conducted with attention, having
regard to all the details of cleanliness, a condition of extreme
danger to those surrounding the patient arises. Discharges, always
copious in serious cases, dry and become encrusted on the nightdress,
the sheets, or the bedding. The dust of the dessicated
discbarge floats in the atmosphere. The carelessness of the
attendant brings about its own retribution.
The rapid and far-reaching extension of an epidemic of Cholera
is not due to the direct conveyance of infection from one person
to another. The processes of infection are indirect. Many are
btricken at the satno moment and from the same cause. Polluted
water, or contunin.Ued food, is the means by which infection is
propagated. It must be remembered that Cholera proceeds from
Cholera, and from nothing else. Oaks grow from acorns, and wheat
from wheat; and Cholera arises from the dissemination of the
special germ of Cholera. C holera will not make its appearance in
London unless introduced into London. The air cannot bring it,