Neglect Spreads Typhoid, 1916

From the July, 1916, issue of The Southern Planter

While typhoid is essentially a disease of human filth and can only be contracted by getting into the body germs that have come from the body of someone who has or had had typhoid, the great increase in the disease during the early months of summer is due to the activities of flies and to the careless disposal of filth from early cases.

Within reasonable bounds, it is possible for people of a community to control typhoid by caring for the filth from all persons, sick and well. Whenever an early case occurs, it is generally possible to stop the disease by seeing to it that all wastes from the body are disinfected and disposed of where they can cause no harm.

For this reason, it is highly important that every case receive proper attention and that certain rules be followed to the letter. These rules, issued in the form of “Bedside Directions for the Care of Typhoid Cases” Can be had free upon request to the State Board of Health. In household and neighborhoods where there is much early typhoid it is always best for those who may be exposed to the disease to protect themselves by typhoid vaccination.