The following measures were found practical of enforcement: 1. Placarding and quarantining of a house. 2. Establishment of an isolation hospital for the care, and treatment with specific serum, of cerebrospinal meningitis cases only. 3. For detecting carriers: Bacteriological examinations of nose and throat secretions of all persons quarantined in houses where cases occurred. 4. Medical inspection service and board of diagnosis. 5. Distribution of circulars advising Use of an antiseptic spray for nose and throat. (8) Careful attention to personal hygiene, mainly cleanliness; avoid chilling of body, and maintain good health. (c) Avoidance of public gatherings and close contact with persons. (d) Cleaning of premises, and free ventilation of houses. (e) That the disease is infectious, and that healthy persons may innocently transmit it to others by disseminating germs, which may be in their nose and throat, by coughing, sneezing, kissing, etc. f) That the disease is not carried by clothing, merchandise, food, etc. It was impossible to trace the source of infection from one case to another; nor was it practicable to determine what factor was necessary in causing the development of the disease in one person and not in another known to be intimately in contact with the disease. There were a number of towns throughout Texas which quarantined places where the disease had made its appearance. was impracticable and gave a false sense of security, owing to the widespread infection and large number of healthy carriers, it was advised that quarantine was ineffective and simply interfered with PLAGUE-PREVENTION WORK. DISTRIBUTION OF POISON. In connection with the making and maintenance of a squirrel-free zone around the cities of California on San Francisco Bay, 1,266 acres of land in Alameda County were covered with poison during the week ended February 3, 1912. During the same period 6,100 acres of land in San Joaquin County and 3,200 acres in Stanislaus County were covered with poison for the purpose of eradicating plague foci. 1 Identified: Mus norvegicus, 76; Mus rattus, 1; Mus musculus, 79; Mus alexandrinus, 1. * Identified: Mus norvegicus, 728; Mus rattus, 240; Mus musculus, 325; Mus alexandrinus, 171. SQUIRRELS COLLECTED AND EXAMINED FOR PLAGUE INFECTION. One squirrel found in Alameda County was examined. No plague infection was found. SMALLPOX IN THE UNITED STATES. In the following table the States indicated by an asterisk are those from which reports of smallpox are received only from certain city, and in some cases county, boards of health. In these States, therefore, the recorded cases and deaths should not be taken as showing the general prevalence of the disease. In the States not marked by an asterisk the reports are received monthly from the State boards of health, and include all cases reported to the State authorities. REPORTS RECEIVED DURING WEEK ENDED FEB. 23, 1912. SMALLPOX IN THE UNITED STATES-Continued. For reports received from July 1 to December 29, see Public Health Reports for December 29, 1911. The cumulative table of reported cases of smallpox, heretofore published each week, has been discontinued, and in its place summaries will be published periodically. |