DIPHTHEBIA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 23 January 1892, Page 2

DIPHTHEBIA.

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE &IANAWATO HERALD.) •^ir, — With a view -of allaying the creneral alarm among householders ■luring the present outbreak of diphtheria, and at the same time of checking the spread of the disease, I beg to offer you for publication the following few hints, which may prove useful. 1. It is absolutely necessasy that each householder should see that no sanitary defects erxist in connection with his premises, and attention should be paid to the undermentioned points : — 1 11 back yards should be cleaned, refuse removed, privies emptied, and drains flushed every few days with a disinfectant solution. Carbolic acid disinfecting powder should be used freely, or better still, the following solution. Corrosive sublimate half -an ounce, hydrochloric acid one fluid ounce, anilin blue, five grains, water three gallons or a bucketful. The blue colour of the fluid is necessary, corrosive sublimate being a most powerful poison to all forms of organic iife. It should be kept for use in a wooden bucket, as metal is strongly attacked by it. . 2. Pipes and drains should be carefully examined, for faults or ! eaks and all such remedied without lelay. There should be no connection of sinks or house-drains with jess-pools Cesa-pools should be situated as r as possible from dwellings, certainly not less than thirty yards. If nuch nearer, the contents shou dbe •arefnlly removed with the surrounding soil and deeply buried. The cavity should then be filled in with clean material, and s aked with the sublimate solution. Excreta should be mixed with earth or lime and buried. Outbuild* ings should be cleaned and limed. 8. Fond, and especially milk, should, not be allowed to come in contact with anything suspicious. In fact it would be better to boil milk, as it is a very likely carrier cf infection. 4. All sources of drinking water should be examined for possible contamination, soakagp from drains, &c Th s is particu arly necessary with th» surface wells of the town. 5. All clothing of the sick, bedding, handkerchiefs, rags, &o M used

by the sick person should be disinfected by soaking in carbolic acid ( 1 in 80) solution for some hours, or if of no great value, burnt. 6. Parents should keep their children from all .possible sources of infection. Ihe bacillus has been known to re am its power for months 7. No overcrowding in sleeping apartments should be permitted and ventilation iho ild be free. 8. Strict personal cleanliness and exercise sh uid be attended to. I sincere y trust that by the careful observance of the above rules the pest may soon be stamped out. I am, &c, W. T. Dkrmer, MB, Ch ß.