An inquiry into the propagation of contagious poisons, by the atmosphere

by Somerville Scott Alison

&c.

These are almost the only diseases known in this country, which are positively ascertained to be characterized by the elimination of contagious matter, and which, therefore, there is any risk of getting by contagion. The continued fever of this country has been supposed, by some physicians, to be a contagious disease, from there being sometimes observed pimples on persons affected with it; but that is by no means an ascertained point.

Those above enumerated seem to include all the most important diseases in this country, which are capable of being propagated by contagion, acting in either of the two ways already described. Some of them are capable of affecting the same individual only once, and some affect persons as often as they are exposed to their specific contagious matters.

How comparatively small, then, is the range of contagion,—an agent which has been thought to accomplish worlds of mischief, and to destroy almost whole communities.

Visitors may approach within a very short distance of persons afflicted with these distempers, without danger of suffering, provided they do not touch the bodies or the clothes.

They have nothing to apprehend from the atmosphere, if attention is paid to the maintenance of its purity,—such as is necessary in other situations, as well as in the sick-room.

Never brought into that immediate contact with the poisons which is necessary for their propagation, they stand in need of no directions for their removal or counteraction.

Those persons, on the other hand, who are called upon to touch the patient and his clothes, are exposed to danger; and they should lessen its amount, by instantly putting their hands into warm water, and by freely washing them, with the assistance of soap,—and that ablution should be performed after each instance of contact.

I have often had occasion to feel the pulse of persons ill of the worst forms of confluent and black small-pox, and any risk that has thereby been incurred, has been removed or remedied by immediately washing the hand as directed.

In addition to washing, after that process is done, a small quantity of a strong smelling liquid, such as Lavender water or Eau de Cologne, should be poured into the hands. Their grateful odour may hide or cover that of the apartment, which the attendant may mistake for contagious air, as is often done, and thereby remove groundless apprehension. These seem to be the chief precautions that are necessary for meeting the dangers of contagion, if there is included what is sometimes used, viz. a covering for the hand,—a glove and the like,—which, as being harmless, and such as may possibly be useful, should be employed; and likewise the avoiding of eating and drinking with the same instruments and vessels used by the sick persons.