296 THE WONDERFUL HOUSE THAT JACK HAS 



waste from the bowels. In smallpox, scarlet fever, 

 measles, and some other diseases they are contained 

 in particles given off from the skin. They may get 

 from one body into another in milk, water, or solid 

 food. After being dried, these organisms become so 

 light as to float easily in the air. Hence they may 

 be taken by one in the same house with a sick person, 

 or carried on clothing from one house to another, and 

 in some diseases infect persons living in the latter. 



A fly alighting on some substance or object contain- 

 ing disease germs may take them up and deposit 

 them on food, and of course a person eating the food 

 will get the deposit in his stomach. The very best 

 way to protect the body against such enemies is to 

 keep it in vigorous health, for then they are not likely 

 to do harm. As we have learned, the very best 

 way of keeping such health is to be wise in our use 

 of pure air, water, nourishing food, exercise, and rest. 



Since there are times when we may be unable to 

 resist attacks of disease germs, it is wise to do all 

 that is possible to destroy any that may come from 

 a person having one of these diseases. Boiling water, 

 steam, solutions of carbolic acid, and formaldehyde 

 are some of the agents commonly used for this pur- 

 pose. During the period in which there is danger of 

 contagion, the patient should usually occupy an 

 upper room of the house away from other members 

 of the family, and as few as possible should wait 

 on him. 



