SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
125 
the closets where you keep things. Are they big enough ? 
Are they in the right place ? Suppose your water comes 
from a well which is a long way from the house. What 
difference will it make? What would you do about it? 
The Water Supply 
The water supply of every home should be carefully 
guarded. If the water is defiled or contaminated by 
germs of typhoid fever, diphtheria, or other diseases, 
whose bacteria may be carried by water, the disease may 
be spread wherever the water is used. 
No earth closets or human or animal waste should be 
in the neighborhood of the well. Water should come 
from high ground and clean places with no possibility 
of gathering infection on the way to the house. Great 
pains should be taken to keep drinking water absolutely 
clean. All drinking vessels should be washed and scalded 
and the rims should never be handled. 
In the country every home has a private water supply 
and takes pains to guard it. In the city there is a common 
water supply and everyone is responsible for keeping it 
pure. Where does the water come from that supplies 
your city or town? How is it kept clean? Who takes 
care of it? 
Whenever there is any question about the purity of 
common drinking water, the table supply should be 
boiled, for safety. Boiling will destroy any bacteria that 
could produce disease. This boiled water should be used 
for rinsing dishes as well as for drinking. 
Girl Scouts will interest themselves in municipal or 
neighborhood housekeeping, for that is a responsibility 
which all share together. 
Learning to take care of one’s own home is a good 
beginning, if one is to share in providing good condi- 
tions for the neighborhood. 
