162 



GERM DANGERS AND HEALTH HABITS 



mouth of the person. Most children's " catching " diseases 

 begin with sore throat, sneezing, and coughing. Measles, 

 whooping cough, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, influenza, and 

 diphtheria all begin in this way, hence it is very easy for 

 any one unthink- 

 ingly to spray out 

 the germs when 

 coughing, sneezing, 

 or even talking, and 



10J 



t. 



A common method of spreading germs. (After 

 Winslow.) 



thus to infect some 

 one else. A good 

 health habit to form 

 very early in life is 

 that of the proper 

 use of the handkerchief. Never cough or sneeze into 

 the open air, but into a handkerchief. Keep the nose 

 well blown to prevent an unpleasant appearance as well 

 as possible spread of colds. A " common cold " soon 

 becomes everybody's cold in a schoolroom in which the 

 children do not have the proper health habits. A good 

 rule to observe with reference to colds is this: remain 

 quietly at home resting in bed, for thus one will not only 

 prevent others from " catching " it, but by rest and proper 

 food it will soon be cured. 



Disinfectants and how to use them. Sometimes it 

 becomes necessary in our homes to destroy the bacteria 

 which cause disease. This is done by the use of disinfect- 

 ants. Many different substances which have a deadly 

 action on bacteria can be obtained at the drug store. 

 Inasmuch as these substances, such as carbolic acid, lysol, 

 bichloride of mercury, and formaldehyde, are deadly poisons, 

 we must exercise the greatest care in their use. For disin- 



