1893-1894 - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT. 143
TYPHOID FEVER AGAIN.
Although faint mutterings of cholera to the north of us and a somewhat
louder growl from yellow fever to the south of us are heard, typhoid
fever is unusually prevalent within our own horders, and its prevention
remains with us in North Carolina the great sanitary question of the day.
When we realize that the num))er of deaths annually from typhoid in
this State is estimated at one thousand it is easy to understand that it
lias slain its tliousands where both the other diseases combined have
of the strict observance of the proper sanitary precautions.
claimed their tens, or less. And it will continue to do so, pi'obably in
an increasing ratio, unless our people can be aroused to the importance
As a practical
sanitary question, tlierefore, for the whole State, the prevention of
typhoid fever is a very much more serious one than that of eitlier of the
other much more dreaded diseases. But it is extremely difficult to get
the people to realize and act upon it. Sucli a realization on their part
we regard as of so much moment that at the risk of proving tedious we
bring up the subject again for the purpose of urging County Superintendents
and all other ])hysicians to bestir themselves to promote a more
enlightened public sentiment on this subject especially, not omitting
other matters pertaining to preventive medicine. ]\Iuch to our regret
and discouragement, we have been compelled to admit that many of our
physicians are not as careful as they might be in impressing upon the
nurses and friends of their patients the danger of spreading the disease
to themselves and others by using the same drinking utensils as the
patient, by continuing to use the same water supply unboiled, by washing
the undisinfected soiled linen near the well, and, worst of all, by
disposing of the bowel discharges, in any manner, without thorough
disinfection by reliable disinfectants of the same. But even when the
matter is not overlooked it often happens that the directions given are
so general and vague as to be of no practical value.
Again, it frequently
occurs that the family having received the proper instructions fail to
carry them out—sometimes not at all, but more often inadequately.
Most people are i-easonable and tractable, juirticularly in their relations
with one in whom they usually have so much contidence as
family physician.
their
If they understand the reasons for a certain course of
action, and they are good reasons, they are very apt to follow that course.
The generality are entirely ignorant of sanitation, and the attending
physician, therefore, should take some pains to explain to them how the
fever is transmitted through the drinking water contaminated by germs
from the undisinfected discharges of some previous case, clinching the
matter by giving illustrations, which can easily be done from medical
literature, if not from actual personal experience. A want of faith is at
the bottom of the whole trouble. Convince their judgments and the
proper action on their part will follow.
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