CONTROL OF CROSS INFECTIONS OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT

Abstract

The adoption of the Dick aseptic nursery technic¹ at The Cradle in 1929 practically eliminated hand borne cross infections, such as enteritis and impetigo. Figure 1 illustrates the effect of this technic on the number of deaths due to enteritis contracted after admission. During the six years prior to the introduction of this aseptic technic (1923 to 1928) a total of 942 infants was admitted. There were 55 deaths, 53 due to enteritis. In 40 of the fatal cases infection was contracted after admission. During the twelve years since the introduction of the aseptic technic 3,132 infants have been admitted. There were 26 deaths, 6 due to enteritis. In no case was infection contracted after admission. The total mortality rate before the introduction of the aseptic technic was 5.8 per cent and after its introduction 0.8 per cent. There remained, however, the problem of the respiratory cross infections. Nine