GERMS. 97 



have been the same if bacteriological health boards had 

 never been thought of. In this respect a company of 

 business men could accomplish all that bacteriologists 

 have ever accomplished and comparatively would cost 

 nothing. 



The many "new discoveries" which bacteriologists 

 and the various health boards claim to make remind 

 us of the horse presented to the young minister by his 

 congregation. The young man's father came to see 

 him., and going out to see the horse, exclaimed: 

 "Couldn't your congregation give you a better horse 

 than that ?" "That is a better animal than our Saviour 

 rode to Jerusalem," replied the young man, opening the 

 animal's mouth to examine his teeth, the old gentle- 

 man exclaimed: "I believe it's the same one!" 



Health boards have many of their "new discoveries" 

 written up by the editor of some newspaper, or they 

 may appear in pamphlet form, as did the following, 

 Avhich was issued by the Michigan State Board of 

 Health for February, 1900 : 



A doctor living in Detroit is asking how to check an 

 epidemic of measles, and wishes some advice from the 

 Attorney General. Following is the Attorney General's 

 reply, though not given in full. The reply introduces 

 a new and novel feature in advertising, which is worthy 

 the consideration of all who depend upon printers' ink 

 arrayed in many colors, with flashy headlines : 



"State of Michigan, Attorney General's Office, 



"Lansing, January 29, 1897. 



"Samuel P. Duffield, M. D., health officer of the City 

 of Detroit: 



