368 BIOLOGY AND HUMAN LIFE 



more water used in the former for cleaning purposes but the 

 removal of bodily and household wastes is simplified. The pres- 

 ence of modern toilet facilities makes it easier to establish reg- 

 ular habits for the evacuation of the bowels, and connection 

 with the sewage system makes it more likely that the organic 

 wastes of the household will be entirely removed. Of course the 

 water should be free from the contamination of sewage or other 

 dangerous refuse. 



The removal of garbage is an important problem of every 

 home, not because it "breeds disease germs" (for it does not), 

 but because it breeds flies and other vermin, and because its 

 decay yields offensive odors. It is economical in towns and in 

 rural districts to save the garbage for the pigs and chickens. 

 It is worth while, however, to keep the receptacles and yards in 

 which the animals feed perfectly clean. Daily washing of the 

 pans and troughs will prevent the breeding of vermin and will 

 add to the health of the stock as well as to the health and 

 comfort of the people. In cities the removal of garbage by sys- 

 tematic street collections, or its destruction in furnaces, is eco- 

 nomical in the long run because of its bearing upon health. 



278. Food and feeding. A large part of the dyspepsia which 

 is so common in this country comes directly from the fact that 

 many of the home-makers are not skilled cooks. A large part 

 of the malnutrition from which an alarming proportion of all 

 children suffer comes directly from the fact that home-makers 

 have not learned the principles of nutrition. A large part of the 

 communicable disease is transmitted by means of food or drink. 

 The home not only should provide suitable food, well prepared 

 and attractively served, but it should cultivate tastes for suit- 

 able food and proper ways of eating. This is much more than 

 a matter of good table manners to show off to acquaintances or 

 in public places. It is a matter of physical and mental health 

 and decent living. It should be possible for everybody of 

 ordinary intelligence to understand the principles of balanced 

 diet, not merely from reading about it in a book but from 

 actual experience with well-balanced meals ; and it is very im- 



