412 



GENERAL SCIENCE 



Food and Disease. Contaminated food plays an 

 important part in the spread of almost all kinds of disease. 

 The body is able to cope with a few germs ; but, when 

 millions are introduced into the system in eating a small 

 portion of impure food, the danger is increased many 

 times. We need to be especially careful in regard to food. 



When foods are handled by persons with dirty hands or 

 clothing, stored in unprotected places, or hauled uncovered 



FIG. 363. A Clean Cow and a Clean Milker. 



through streets, they acquire millions of germs, rendering 

 them unfit for food. More and more we are coming to 

 see the necessity for pure food and are demanding of 

 grocers, butchers, bakers, and milkmen much greater care 

 in the handling and protection of foods (Figure 363). 

 Since most germs cannot stand a very high tempera- 

 ture, foods that are well cooked are rendered free from 

 them. 



