1 24 Physiology. 



long as people spit upon the floors and pavements it will 

 be difficult to prevent the spread of such germ diseases. 



In hospitals such matters are now looked after with the 

 greatest care, and in private houses where there is intelli- 

 gence on these subjects.* Many of the railroad and street 

 car companies now forbid spitting on the floors of cars 

 and stations, not merely because it is uncleanly, but be- 

 cause it is a means of spreading infectious diseases. 



Bacteria. These disease germs are the smallest and 

 simplest of living things. They are plants ; and while all 

 of them that are well known have their scientific names, 

 just as the larger plants have, they are all included in one 

 general group called Bacteria. 



How to avoid Dust. We need to learn a good deal 

 more about avoiding and destroying dust, and the things 

 that make it. Towns and cities need more sprinkling to 

 keep the dust down. Much more of the refuse and street 

 sweepings and cleanings ought to be burned. The dust of 

 'a house should always be burned, as we know not what 

 germs of disease may be in it. If we burn it, we shall 

 surely not have to sweep up that dust again. If we send 

 it out of doors it may come back, and we may have to 

 handle it again and again. 



Sweeping and Dusting. So far as possible let us avoid 

 things that make dust. When we sweep a carpet, a con- 

 siderable share of the dust comes from the carpet itself, 

 especially if the carpet is old. Curtains and tapestries of 

 nearly all sorts not only hold dust, but contribute a good 

 deal to it. Those who write on such subjects recommend 

 hard wood floors with rugs instead of carpets. The rugs 

 can be taken out of doors and shaken, and the floors wiped 

 with a moist cloth, so that little dust is left floating in the 



