Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1907 — State Health Board Reviews Fair Oaks Cases. [ARTICLE]

State Health Board Reviews Fair Oaks Cases.

The monthly Bulletin of the State Board of Health has the following comment to make on the diphtheria case 1 * that occurredjat Fair Oaks in Septemper and'October: Dr. M. B. Fyfe, of Fair Oaks, reports as follows: “A family in thia locality has lott three members from diphtheria. Whet the last one died I made an examination of the throats of the rest, nine in all. None of thia number seemed to be sick, but all had red throats and are probably infected. The head of the family’refused to permit the administration of antitoxin.or even the use of antiseptic (solutions in the throat and nasal passages. It aeems strange to me that the head of a family does not desire to have everything possible done to save the lives of his children. How long should quarantine be kept up in this instance!”

In our reply to Dr. Fyle we called his attention to the fact 11 at this householder, who refused to permit the administration of antitoxin to his children whew affected with diphtheria, was not so widely different from the general citizen as might be supposed, for it seems to be true that infectious^diseases abound (more or where and the people are apathetic. They can not be aroused to apply prevention. They generally will pay any sum for care, it cranky to do anything gfor pre▼entiou, aud yet all of the time they admit that an Jounce .of preve tion is worth a pound of cure. In regard to length of quarantine, Dr Fyfe was informer! that the circumstances surrounding .each cate would govern. The law says that quarantine shall be continued “for Buch 'line and in such way as is necessary to he spread of infection.” In such an instance as thia, if in immediate command, we would have the house thoroly disinfected and carefully inspect ■nd disinfect each remaining mem bar of the family. If no symptom «r indication of an infectious disease could he found, then quarantine Would be discharged.