Funerals: Public funerals and accessory funeral functions should be prohibited, being unnecessary assemblies in limited quarters, increasing contacts and possible sources of infection.
4. MASKS.—The wearing of proper masks in a proper manner should be made compulsory in hospitals and for all who are directly exposed to infection. It should be made compulsory for barbers, dentists, etc. The evidence before the committee as to beneficial results consequent upon the enforced wearing of masks by the entire population at all times was contradictory, and it has not encouraged the committee to suggest the general adoption of the practice. Persons who desire to wear masks, however, in their own interest, should be instructed as to how to make and wear proper masks, and encouraged to do so.
5. ISOLATION.—The isolation of patients suffering from influenza should be practised. In cases of unreasonable carelessness, it should be legally enforced most rigidly.
6. PLACARDING.—In cases of unreasonable carelessness and disregard of the public interests placarding should be enforced.
7. HOSPITALIZATION.—The theory of complete hospitalization is that, if all the sick were hospitalized the disease would be controlled. In certain somewhat small communities where hospitalization of all cases was promptly inaugurated the disease did come quickly under control. It must be recognized, however, that unless every infective person can be detected and identified as such and removed to the hospital before he has infected others, hospitalization cannot be depended upon to eliminate the disease.
In general, home treatment is to be advocated where medical, nursing and other necessary facilities are adequate, and where home treatment is not directly contra-indicated by the danger of infecting others. The hospitalization in any case, mild or severe, should be undertaken only when facilities for home treatment are inadequate with respect to medical and nursing care or otherwise. The objection to routine hospitalization of mild cases lies in the fact that patients not already suffering from secondary infections may acquire them by exposure to hospital cases already so infected. The objection to the routine hospitalization of severe cases lies in the danger to the patient necessarily incident in the transfer from home to hospital.
8. COUGHING AND SNEEZING.—Laws regulating coughing and sneezing seem to be desirable for educational and practical results.
9. TERMINAL DISINFECTION.—Terminal disinfection for influenza has no advantage over cleaning, sunning and airing.
10. ALCOHOL.—The use of alcohol serves no preventive purpose.
11. SPRAYS AND GARGLES.—Sprays and gargles do not protect the nose and throat from infection, for the following reasons: