SUNLIGHT IS A GERM KILLER 199 



in winter and light clothing in summer, to avoid wet feet and 

 damp clothing, to drink plenty of water, to wash often, to take 

 rest and recreation when possible, and to avoid working on 

 " nerves." Germs are everywhere, but a body in good condi- 

 tion overcomes them. 



Even the healthiest bodies have weak moments. If they 

 did not, tired feeling, depression, headache, indigestion, and 

 backache would be unknown to them. Because healthy bodies 

 have weak moments when germs may get the upper hand, and 

 because even healthy bodies cannot kill germs if they come in 

 too large numbers, and because there are many people who are 

 never really strong, we must make every effort to kill germs and 

 keep them away from us. 



Killing germs in the home. Disease-producing bacteria, 

 like food-destroying bacteria, are killed by heat. If the sputum 

 of a tubercular patient is burned and his bedding, towels, hand' 

 kerchiefs are soaked in hot suds of boiling water, all tuberculai 

 germs are killed. In hospitals tubercular patients now use 

 paper cups for sputum and sanitary paper handkerchiefs foi 

 the nose mucus. These cost very little and can be burned 

 without loss. A great many people now use paper or cheese- 

 cloth handkerchiefs when they have colds, since these cheap 

 substitutes can be burned. If linen handkerchiefs are used, 

 they should not be thrown into the common laundry to remain 

 there for days and spread infection, but should be boiled at 

 once and freed from germs. The spoon with which a sick 

 child is given medicine or food should be washed in boiling 

 water before it is used by any one else. The chances that 

 disease will spread are greatly lessened when care is taken to 

 disinfect by heat all articles of clothing, bedding, towels, and 

 dishes. 



Sunlight is a germ killer. It has been shown conclusively 

 that sunlight rapidly kills bacteria, and that it is only in 



