The epidemic chiefly to be feared in summer camps is typhoid fever, and boys coming from cities where that disease is prevalent should be carefully watched. Care in sanitation minimizes the likelihood of such a disease springing up in the camp. Other infections, such as mumps, conjunctivitis, etc., should be carefully isolated, and all precautions taken to prevent their spread.
A fairly common event may be toward evening to find a boy with a headache and a temperature perhaps of 102 degrees. This will probably be all right in the morning after a night's rest and perhaps the administration also of a cathartic.
The Dentist
The importance of a visit to the dentist before coming to camp cannot be over-estimated. Every one knows the torture of a toothache, and realizes how unbearable it must be for a boy away from home and among other boys, sympathetic, of course, but busy having a good time, and with only a few patent gums to relieve the misery, and the dentist perhaps not available for two days. Parents cannot have this point too forcibly thrust upon them, as by even a single visit to a competent dentist all the sufferings of toothache may usually be prevented.
Surgical Supplies
The following list of surgical supplies will be found necessary. The quantity must be determined by the size of the camp, and the price by the firm from whom purchased.
Surgical Supplies
One-half dozen assorted gauze bandages, sizes one to three
inches, 10 cents each.
Two yards sterilized plain gauze in carton, 20 cents a yard.
One roll three-inch adhesive plaster, $1.00.
One paper medium size safety pins, 10 cents.
One paper medium size common pins, 5 cents.
Four ounces sterilized absorbent cotton in cartons, 20 cents.
One-half dozen assorted egg-eyed surgeon's needles, straight to
full curve, 50 cents.
One card braided silk ligature, assorted in one card (white), about
30 cents.
One hundred ordinary corrosive sublimate tablets, 25 cents.
Small surgical instrument set, comprising (F. H. Thomas Co.,
Boston, Mass., $3.50).
2 scalpels
Forceps
Director
Probe
Curette
Scissors
One Hypodermic Syringe, all metal, in metal case, $1.50.
One Fountain Syringe (for enemata and ears).
One one-minute clinical thermometer in rubber case, $1.25. Get
best registered instrument.
One number nine soft rubber catheter, 25 cents.
Small bottle collodion[1] with brush.
One-quarter pound Boric acid powder, 25 cents.
Four ounces Boric acid ointment, 50 cents.
One-quarter pound Boric acid crystals, 25 cents. Carbolic Acid,
95 cents.
Hypodermic tablets, cocaine hydro-chlorate, 1-1/8 grain, making
in two drachms sterile water or one per cent solution. (To be
used by Physician only.)
Alcohol, 80 per cent.
Sulpho Napthol.
Iodoform gauze.
Chloroform liniment.
[Transcriber's Footnote 1: collodion: Flammable, colorless or yellowish syrupy solution of pyroxylin, ether, and alcohol, used as an adhesive to close small wounds and hold surgical dressings, in topical medications, and for making photographic plates.]