BACILLUS TYPHOSUS 111 



said to be another method of transmitting this disease. 

 It is best not to inculpate the ice itself, since freezing 

 kills whatever germs are not squeezed out in the con- 

 traction of the water when becoming solid, but rather 

 blame the dirty methods of cutting, storing, and 

 distributing. Ice not infrequently becomes covered 

 with manure and earth in storing, and lading for 

 distribution. The unwashed hands of the ice-man are 

 only too familiar. When ice is placed in the water 

 cooler in public places it is frequently washed under a 

 spigot and then picked up in the hands of the distributor. 



Typhoid bacilli do not multiply to any considerable 

 extent in water, but merely remain viable. Milk is 

 a prolific source of spread, since it is easy for the 

 dairyman with a case of typhoid on his farm to infect 

 this product. Fresh milk has a mild restraining 

 effect upon typhoid germ growth, but does not kill 

 many. The bacilli do not come from the cow, but 

 are introduced somewhere in the route from her to the 

 consumer. Vegetables grown in ground upon which 

 infected manure or water has been spread may carry 

 the disease ; such are, for instance, water-cress, lettuce, 

 tomatoes, or others that are eaten raw. Oysters 

 fattened in water contaminated by sewage are said to 

 transmit the disease. 



House-flies may settle upon human excreta in out- 

 houses or toilets or in sick-rooms, and by walking on 

 articles intended for food, leave behind some of the 

 germs. 



The personal contact of nurse, physician, or a member 

 of the family must never be underestimated as a means 

 of direct transmission. Indeed, it is looked upon by 



