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45
In the event of Plague being detected in any district, the
measures to be taken to prevent its spread are, generally speaking,
those which are available against the more ordinary epidemic
diseases of this country, as set forth in the accompanying "General
Memorandum." These measures include prompt removal of the sick
persons to hospital and their isolation therein; the destruction or
thorough disinfection of all infected articles, with the effectual disinfection
also of the invaded dwelling-place; the keeping under
observation during 10 days after detection of each Plague case all
persons who have been in contact with the patient, and house-to-house
visitation for the discovery of unreported or suspicious cases; the
abatement as speedily as possible of all insanitary conditions in the
locality which may tend to the spread of the disease; and, in the
case of death, the prompt disposal of the corpse, with all due
precautions against its becoming a source of infection.
An essential measure of precaution in view of the observed
relation between Plague in rats and Plague in the human subject, will
be the prompt destruction of all rats in districts threatened or invaded
by Plague, care being taken that their carcases are collected and burnt
without being unduly handled.
It is to be noted that when treated in a well-appointed hospital,
with plentiful fresh air and proper attention to cleanliness and disinfection,
Plague, except in its pneumonic and septicæmic forms, shows
but small infective power; and that therefore doctors and nurses in
attendance on the sick run but little risk of contracting the disease.
Nevertheless, these and other persons brought in close relation with
Plague, may be afforded protection against infection by submitting
themselves to protective inoculation of the sort practised with
advantage to the inhabitants of invaded areas by Professor Haffkine,
under the auspices of the Indian Government, in Bombay. As yet
the protective material in question is not generally purchasable in
this country. For the present, therefore, and until further notice,
the Board, having provided themselves with a supply of Professor
Haffkine's Plague prophylactic, will be prepared to issue this material