The best means of preventing the spread of the communicable diseases is
perfect and instant isolation of the affected, and removal and thorough
purifying of all clothing and bedding with which the affected have come
in contact. It is a vulgar error to suppose that every child must
necessarily suffer from the contagious maladies, and that the risk of
exposure to infection is, therefore, of little moment. The chance of
infection lessens with advance of life, and that person is strongest who
has never passed through a contagious malady. Against small-pox
vaccination is the grand safeguard, but even vaccination ought never to
prevent the isolation of those who suffer from small-pox.
V
The mortality from the uncontrollable causes of disease amongst persons
of advanced life is best prevented by providing against sudden
vicissitudes of heat and cold. The primary care is to guard against
sudden change of vascular tension from exposure to heat when the
blood-vessels are weakened by cold. Such exposure is the cause of nearly
all the congestions which occur during winter, and which carry off the
enfeebled. The sound practice is to maintain the body, at all hours and
seasons, but especially during the hours of sleep, at an equable
temperature. The temperature of 60° Fah. may be considered a safe
standard.