The following words, as used in these regulations, unless a
different meaning is required by the context, or as specifically prescribed,
shall have the following meanings:
BOARD OF HEALTH
Includes the Board, Selectman or officer having like powers
and duties in cities or towns.
CARRIER
A person who, without symptoms of a disease dangerous to
the public health, harbors and may disseminate the specific microorganisms
of that disease.
CONTACT
Any person known to have been sufficiently near an infected
person or animal to have been presumably exposed to transfer of infectious
material directly, or by articles freshly soiled with such material.
IMMUNE
An "immune" person is one who has had the disease, or has
been artificially immunized against it, and is, presumably, protected
against another attack.
INCUBATION PERIOD
The usual period of time which elapses between the exposure
of a person to infection and the development of the symptoms of the
disease to which he may have been exposed.
ISOLATION
The separation of persons suffering from any disease dangerous
to the public health, or carriers of the infecting microorganism from
other persons, in such places and under such conditions as wilt prevent
the direct or indirect conveyance of the infectious agent to susceptible
persons. [Note: In view of the various ambiguous and inaccurate uses
to which the words "isolation" and "quarantine" are frequently put,
it has seemed best to adopt arbitrarily the word "isolation" as describing
the limitations put upon the movements of an individual (animal) known
to be sick or be a "carrier," and the word "quarantine" as describing
the limitations put upon individuals exposed ("contacts") to disease.]
LAST EXPOSURE
The date of the removal to a hospital, or the recovery or
death of the patient, or the date on which the nonimmune contact leaves
and remains out of the house where the patient is isolated.
PLACARD
An official notice, written or printed, posted as a warning
of the presence of a disease dangerous to the public health on the
premises or in the apartment or room so placarded.
QUARANTINE
The restriction to the premises, house or apartment of materials
and persons that presumably have been exposed to a disease dangerous
to the public health. [Note: In view of the various ambiguous and
inaccurate uses to which the words "isolation" and "quarantine" are
frequently put, it has seemed best to adopt arbitrarily the word "isolation"
as describing the limitations put upon the movements of an individual
(animal) known to be sick or be a "carrier," and the word "quarantine"
as describing the limitations put upon individuals exposed ("contacts")
to disease.]
SUSCEPTIBLE or NONIMMUNE
A "susceptible" or "nonimmune" person is one who is not known
to have acquired immunity to the particular communicable disease in
question.
According to MGL c. 111, § 111, as amended, "If a
physician knows or has cause to believe that a person whom he visits
is infected with a disease dangerous to the public health, he shall
immediately give written notice thereof signed by him. . ." The act
further provides, "The foregoing provisions of this section and the
provisions of section one hundred and nine shall not apply to gonorrhea
and syphilis, except in the case of eye infections in infants under
two weeks of age. Any person having either of said diseases shall
be reported to the local Boards of Health, either directly or through
the department, in accordance with such special rules and regulations
as the department may make, having due regard for the best interests
of the public."
When a householder knows that a person within his family or
house is sick with a disease dangerous to the public health, he shall
immediately give notice thereof to the Board of Health in the manner
required by the statute (MGL c. 111, § 109, as amended by
Chapter 265 of the Acts of 1938); provided, however, that in cases
in which a physician has been called in, his notification will be
accepted in place of the householder.
MGL c. 111, § 110, as amended by Chapter 180 of the
Acts of 1932: "If either eye of an infant becomes inflamed, swollen
and red, or shows an unnatural discharge within two weeks after birth,
the nurse, relative or other attendant having charge of such infant
shall report in writing, within six hours thereafter, to the Board
of Health of the town where the infant is, the fact that such inflammation,
swelling and redness of the eyes or unnatural discharge exists. On
receipt of such report, or of notice of the same symptoms given by
the physician, or a hospital medical officer registered under Section
nine of Chapter 112, as provided by the following section, the Board
of Health shall take such immediate action as it may deem necessary,
including so far as may be possible, consultation with an oculist
and the employment of a trained nurse in order that blindness may
be prevented."
No person, except physicians, nurses, and those whose duty it
is to minister to the patient, shall be allowed to enter the place
of isolation during the continuance of the disease unless permitted
to do so by the Board of Health or its agent.
Nurses and others caring for a person isolated as above shall
wash their hands thoroughly with hot water, soap and scrubbing brush
immediately after handling the patient, his discharges or any article
soiled by his discharges, before mingling with others. They shall
change their outer clothing before going out.
All eating utensils and linen used by the patient shall be boiled
for at least five minutes immediately after being taken from the room.
Upon release of the patient, woolen articles shall be exposed to sunlight
and air for at least eight hours.
The discharges of a person sick with typhoid fever, paratyphoid
fever, or dysentery isolated in the house shall be mixed with chloride
of lime or other disinfectant approved by the Board of Health and
shall be kept in contact therewith for at least 30 minutes before
being emptied into the hopper or privy unless permission for another
method of handling is given by the Board of Health.