HOUSEHOLD BACTERIOLOGY 65 



Handling of toilet articles. The fingers of the attendant may after such 

 handling unconsciously carry to the mouth infecting organisms. 



Care of discharges. Body discharges contain the seed, or germ, of 

 disease. These should not be left carelessly, as in the case of sputum, to 

 dry and be wafted about by the wind, nor thrown in a loose vault and 

 allowed to reach the well or a body of water from which drinking water 

 is obtained. 



Insect pests. The fly is no longer unpopular merely because of tradition and 

 because of its annoying bites and specks, but also because of the now well- 

 known fact thati it carries disease germs on its feet and in its body. Mosqui- 

 toes, too,, are in disgrace, for without them malaria would trouble no one. 



Common drinking glass Recently washed glass 



FIG. 28. Public drinking cups 



BY COURTESY OF MEDICAL REVIEW OF REVIEWS 



Other animal disturbers. Rats harbor the flea that spreads the germ 

 of the Jsubonic plague. Cats and dogs are the delight of children and of 

 many grown folks, nevertheless they sometimes bring with them germs 

 of diphtheria, scarlet fever, and other diseases. 



The common comb and brush. Common toilet articles, unless thor- 

 oughly sterilized, are to be avoided in the barber shop, shampoo parlors, 

 and even in the family, because dandruff and some other skin diseases are 

 infectious. 



The common cough-medicine bottle. The medicine bottle may contain 

 not only an opiate to paralyze the nerves, but also a cold-germ from the 

 lips of the last patient who has placed the bottle to his lips. 



The common drinking-cup. Public sentiment has dealt a blow to the 

 common drinking-cup. We never think in our homes of using the same 



