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46
MEASURES TAKEN TO PREVENT THE SPREAD
OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
When a case of infectious disease is notified, as soon as
possible, the Medical Officer or Sanitary Inspector calls at the house
and, if considered advisable, the patient is recommended to be
removed to one of the Isolation Hospitals. If the patient remains
at home, printed particulars as to isolation, disinfection. &c.,
together with a short epitome of the law applicable to infectious
cases are left at the house. An addressed postcard is also left for
the medical attendant to sign and forward when he considers the
patient free from infection. If no medical practitioner is in charge,
advice as to isolation, &c., is given, and a circular on the special
disease from which the patient is suffering, left at the house. Full
particulars of the patient and other occupants of the house with
particulars of the sanitary arrangements, milk supply, school or
place of work, and other details are recorded on special forms
which are filed in the Health Office. If necessary the drains of the
dwelling are examined by the smoke test preparatory to serving an
order to open them up.
Special certificates are forwarded to the School Teachers, if
any occupants attend school, and also to the Milk seller and
Librarian of the Public Library. Any books which may be present
from the Library are at once taken to Mogden to be disinfected by
Formaldehyde or destroyed.
Disinfection.
Upon the removal or termination of an infectious
case the bedding and clothing are removed to Mogden
to be disinfected by steam. If the case is one of Small-pox the
articles are removed to Dockwell for disinfection. The rooms are
sprayed with corrosive sublimate solution or Formaline. Under
certain circumstances books are disinfected in a special apparatus
at Mogden. Sanitas fluid and powder are supplied to householders
free of cost.
Infectious
Diseases
Hospitals.
These Hospitals are under a Joint Committee of
representatives of the Borough of Richmond and the
Urban District Council of Heston and Islsworth.