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11
The following directions should in all cases be carried into
deffect:—
1.—The room should be cleared of all needless woollen or
other draperies which might possibly serve to harbour
the poison.
2.—A basin, charged with carbolate of lime, Macdougall's or
Calvert's Powder, or some other convenient disinfectant,
should be kept constantly on the bed for the patient to
spit into.
3.—A large vessel containing water impregnated with chloride
of zinc, or with Condy's (1oz. to 1 gallon of water),
should always stand in the room for the reception of all
bed and body linen immediately on its removal from the
patient,
4.—Pocket handkerchiefs should not be used, and small pieces
of rag employed for wiping the month and nose. Each
piece, after being once used, should be immediately
burnt.
5.— As the hands of nurses of necessity become frequently
soiled by the secretions, a good supply of towels and two
basins-one containing water with Condy's Fluid or carbolate
of lime, and another with plain soap and water—
should be always at hand for the immediate removal of
the taint.
6.—All glasses, cups, or other vessels used by or about the
patient should be scrupulously cleaned before being used
by others.
7.—The discharges from the bowels and kidneys should be
received on their very issue from the body into vessels
charged with disinfectants (carbolate of lime).
By these measures the greater part of the germs which are
thrown of by internal surfaces may be robbed of their power to
propagate the disease.
The poisonous germs that are thrown off from the skin require
a somewhat different treatment. The plan recommended
for the purpose of preventing the poison from the skin being disseminated
through the air is to put oil all over the skin. This
practice is to commence on the fourth day after the appearance of