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HOW TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF SCARLET FEVER.

THE attention of the Government of Otago having been called to the spread of the disease known as SCARLATINA in this Province, desires to direct the public attention to the following extract from the Otago Daily Times of the 4th instant, which contains most valuable suggestions as to the mode of procedure to prevent its propagation, and the particular necessity of destroying the infected garments and bedding of those who unhappily are affected by it.

Provincial Government Offices,
Dunedin, 17th March, 1871.

As many are inquiring the best way to prevent the spread of Scarlet Fever, I offer the following suggestions as embodying the measures relied upon at the present time :—The contagious matter in Scarlet Fever is probably evolved from the air passages, the excre-tions, and the particles separated from the skin during the process of desquamation. It will be necessary, therefore, that the patient should be secluded as completely as possible from all who have not had the disease, or who have to mix with those who have not had it; and also that all excretions should be disinfected forthwith. A person who exhibits symptoms of Scarlet Fever should be at once placed in a well-ventilated room (the higher in the house the better), having a sheet hung across the door, which should be kept moist with a solution of Condy's disinfecting fluid. He should be attended by a nurse, who ought not to hold any intercourse with other members of the family. All carpets, curtain, and bedhangings should be removed from the room, the air of which should be warmed, if needed, by a fire, and kept changed by an open window—the patient being most carefully protected by the position of the bed from any draught. To all excretions carbolic acid is to be added at once. Food and dishes should be left outside the door, to be taken in and removed without any communication. A basin containing carbolate of lime powder should be placed near the patient for him to spit into. Small pieces of rag (to be burned as soon as used) should be substituted for pockethandkerchiefs. These measures should be supplemented by others required to counteract the death-giving broad "to wit, the results of the desquamation or scurf of the skin. About the fourth day of the eruption the white efflorescence becomes faintly marked. To prevent the diffusion of the particles of which it consists, Dr Budd has suggested the anointing of the body with olive oil from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, twice a-day. The end in view will be more perfectly accomplished by adding carbolic acid to the oil in the proportion of one part of acid to one hundred of oil. This should be continued until the patient is well enough to have a warm bath, when he should be lathered with carbolic soap, dried, warmed before a good fire, and put back to bed. During the rest of the time during desquamation, it will be advisable every day, or every other day, according to the amount of particles of skin being thrown off, to repeat this process—i.e., an anointing in the morning, followed by a warm bath, with carbolic soap washing in the evening. After recovery—that is, after desquamation has entirely ceased—the dresses of the nurse and the clothing worn by the patient during his illness and convalescence should be destroyed, or washed in a manner that will disinfect them. Destruction is, of course, the most certain agent in preventing further contagion, but when this is not practicable the clothing may and should be exposed to a very high temperature—not under 212°. Things which can be washed may be boiled in water in which a little carbolic acid has been added, and then washed with carbolic acid soap. Dr. Budd, of Clifton, who brought these suggestions prominently into notice two or three ago, says that, having adopted them for twenty years, he has never known Scarlet Fever spread beyond the sick-room in a single instance, but very rarely within it.

All articles of clothing and bedding which cannot be boiled can be disinfected by being exposed for two hours in an oven at a temperature of 250° Fahr.

The rooms which have been occupied by the sick should have burnt in them a couple of ounces or more of sulphur, all openings being closed, for a few hours.

The clothes of the sick should be frequently changed, and disinfected by boiling or baking.

NOTICE.

NEW MAP of the re-united Province of Otago, which includes Stewart's Island, now ready for sale at Land Office, and the various agencies—price 10s. 6d.

ABSTRACT of Accounts of the Local Road Board of Kurimoto, for the year 1869-70:—

Receipts.

To Balance at last Audit ... £92 17 0
In Provincial Treasury ... 4 13 0
In Local Treasurer's hands ... 19 5 3
Rates collected and paid into the Treasury ... 47 16 6
Government Subsidy on £23 18s. 3d. ... £164 11 9

Expenditure.

Voucher to White and Co., for Contract No 1 ... 34 10 0
Voucher to White and Co., for Contract No. 2 ... 33 0 0
Extra culvert, 40s. ... 2 0 0
Voucher to Connell & Moodie for surveying ... 25 4 0
Voucher to James Spratt for Contract No. 3 ... 54 10 0
Clerk, legal expenses, postage, and stationery ... 12 16 6

£162 0 6

Balance to the credit of the Board in the Provincial Treasury ... £2 11 3

Examined and found correct.

WILLIAM BARRY, Treasurer.
JAS. L. LANDESK, } Auditors.
DAVID MATHESON, }

MOTUPIPI ROAD BOARD.—Notice.—The Rate Roll of the above District lies for inspection at the house of Mr. Thomas Adam, Motupipi, for fourteen days from this date.—PETER LEITCH, Clerk. Motupipi, 18th March, 1871.

KURIMOTO ROAD BOARD.—Notice the time the time for the payment of the rates for the above District, having long since expired, all persons who have not yet paid are requested to do so within 10 days from this date, otherwise legal proceedings will be at once taken against them for the recovery of the same.—PETER LEITCH, Clerk. Kurimoto, 18th March, 1871.

ABBOTSFORD LOCAL ROAD BOARD hereby intimate the intention of applying at the first meeting of the General Road Board, to be held in April, for authority to levy a Highway Rate of 4d. per acre for the current year, in the above District. The Assessment Roll is open for inspection at my house for fourteen days from date, Sundays excepted.—JAMES RUNCIMAN, Clerk to the Local Road Board. Kaikorai Mills, 18th March, 1871.