Rules for the Consumptive

1914

New Jersey Board of Health in Laudable Endeavor to Prevent Spread of Tuberculosis

Acting under a law of 1912, the New Jersey state board of health has issued the following rules, which are to be followed by all consumptives in that state:

1. All persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis (consumption) shall effectively destroy their sputum (spit).

2. All persons suffering from running sores due to any form of tuberculosis shall burn all soiled dressings immediately after removal.

3. The room occupied by a tuberculosis patient shall have at least one outside window.

4. No person suffering from pulmonary or other communicable form of tuberculosis shall handle food designed for the use of others except when necessary in the performance of household duties, unless the food be wrapped in such a way as to protect it from contamination or unless some necessary subsequent process of preparation such as cooking will sterilize it.

5. The manufacturing of any kind of goods for commercial purposes or the performance of any work known as "shop work" in the home of any person suffering from pulmonary or other communicable form of tuberculosis, is prohibited, unless the product is such as can be sterilized, and unless sterilization is done in strict accordance with the requirements of the local board of health.