When
I first started work, infectious diseases did play an important part
in the job, and we in those days- the main ones-or the most common ones
was scarlet fever, but we also had polio, diptheria and small pox, although
small pox was on its was out in those days because of the vaccination
in place and fortunately diptheria did- there was a very bad disease
because people literally choked on the glands- in part was just blocked
up completely, and I did have one or two friends that did die of that
in childhood, ...Scarlet fever was quite common and what was done in
those days- we got notification of any infectious diseases and went
to the medical officer of health who was in the office adjacent to us,
and we would get immediate notification of these diseases and we had
to literally drop everything- any routine work at the time and literally
go hot-foot to the house where the infectious disease had been notified
from and then we had to sort of make sure or see what accommodation
they had- whether they could isolate the patient in the house.
Library
books were destroyed, the patients room would be fumigated, bedding
laundered, windows and doors sealed up, and chimneys,and formalin spray
used on any carpets and curtains. Sulphur candles would be burnt all
night and after 24 hours the room would be thoroughly spring cleaned
and plenty of fresh air introduced.
