42 STUDIES IN ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY. 



success bacteriologists have had in studying other infectious 

 diseases we may reasonably expect light on these points in 

 the not very remote future. 



PRACTICAL GUIDANCE. 



It was not the province of this chapter to discuss at any 

 length bacteriological problems. Its purpose was to call 

 attention to a few scientific facts which should form the 

 basis for a sensible appreciation of sanitary and hygienic 

 laws; and when we remember that most people die with 

 some form of infectious or contagious disease, surely no 

 excuse is needed to press such information upon the atten- 

 tion of the common -school teacher who has the greatest 

 opportunities for distributing it. It is intended that the few 

 points here given shall lead to such a general and interested 

 observance of all rules and regulations to advance the gen- 

 eral health, that disease may become more infrequent, and 

 the length of human life and happiness thereby materially 

 increased. Possibly nothing better can be done in this case 

 than to quote here the rules and regulations recently issued 

 by the Indiana State Board of Health, which are so clear and 

 to the point that they are given without further comment: 



Explanation. 



" Simultaneously with the annual opening of the public schools, diph- 

 theria, measles, mumps, scarlet fever and many other diseases usually 

 increase. This is caused by the congregating of the pupils. They mass 

 together and contact spreads infection. Some few pupils may have just 

 recovered from a communicable disease, or they may be from families 

 that have been smitten, and, being infected, they transmit disease to those 

 who are susceptible. It is reasonable to assume that the suddenly imposed 

 confinement in the schools after a period of freedom frets the children for a 

 few days, causing more or less nervousness and so resistance is temporarily 

 lowered. In this way susceptibility may be increased, and sickness may 

 more readily follow. To do all that is possible to prevent the usual school- 

 opening increase in illness is the object of these rules. 



" It is ordered in the rules that desk tops and banisters be washed with 

 soap and water and afterward be treated with a disinfectant. This is 

 required because disease germs may be planted upon exposed desk tops and 

 banisters by infected persons, and, being transferred by the children's hands 



