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11
Disinfection.
1.—All soiled linen should be at once placed in a tub of
water to which a handful of ordinary washing soda has been
added, soaked for 12 hours, and then boiled in a copper.
Materials which cannot be boiled should be soaked for one
hour in liquid disinfectant and then washed.
2.—Special cups, saucers, and spoons should be used for the
patient, and any spare food from the sick room destroyed.
3.—Discharges from ear, nose, or mouth should be received
on a rag, which should be at once burnt, as also should any dust
collected in the room.
4.—When the patient is free from infection, the Council
undertake the disinfection of the sick room, bedding, &c., free
of cost. The accompanying card should be returned when the
patient is free from infection.
Disinfectants are supplied free, to home cases once a week
on application to the Sanitary Inspector, Health Department,
Council Offices, New Maiden, between the hours of 9 a.m.
and 10 a.m.
RASHELL DAVISON, M.D., M.R.C.S.,
Medical Officer of Health.
A penalty of £5 is attached to the exposure of infected
persons and things.
Diphtheria.
Nine cases were notified, all in New Maiden, seven treated at
the Isolation Hospital, one, an adult, at home, and one died. In
five cases the drains were defective, and four cases attended a
private school in Kingston Road, which was closed for 14 days.
One child of 11 months old died suddenly late at night, and was
removed to the mortuary. At the Infant School, Lime Grove, I
discovered several children suffering from sore throat; two,
although not suffering themselves, undoubtedly had the diphtheria
bacillus present in their throats, and as carriers of this disease
could infect others; they were excluded with a satisfactory result.
Early Treatment of Diphtheria.
It is a well-established fact that patients treated on the first or
second day of the disease are almost invariably cured. It is,
therefore, of the greatest importance to secure treatment at the
earliest possible moment, and to effect this medical aid should be
summoned as soon as the slightest speck of membrane appears on