Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-02
The Crusade Against kissing.

The physicians of late seem to nave
become more earnest than ever in their
protests against the custom of kissing.
They say that lives are daily sacrificed
and diseases very frequently cOmmunica-
ted by prOmiscuOus OSCILLATION. Il can
not be doubted. they contend. that a larger
proportion OF the human family than nom
professional persons will believe is attlict-
ed with maladies which are easily com
municated TO others by the contact OF the
lips and the inhaling Of the breath. The
infectiousness Of consumption is gener-
ally admitted, and thousands Of beautiful
mouths. as tempting as roses, conceal
th0rns in the shape Of fatal disease germs.
1t would, perhaps, be unjust to say that
the doctors are not sincere in the position
they have assumed on this subject, as it
would be to charge that they would
naturally be disposed to encourage a
practice which has so much to do with
building up the material interests of the
profession. There are no statistics at
hand to show what proportion of the
physicians favor kissing, or whether those
who have pronounced against it are only
the aged and hOmely practitioners. No
doubt many young and handsome medical
men will agree with the Utica, y. Y,
doctor who especially condemns the
OsculatOry greetings OF women among
themselves, and the habit many vile
mouthed persons have of kissing every
innocent child they meet.
There are some good reasons why the
cnOrr11 no
abandoned besides the one advanced
above. These reasons Will suggest them
selves to the mind of the reader, and it Is
unnecessary to enumerate them here. 1t
is not likely. however, that the dictates OF
common sense or the warnings of the
physicians Will have much effect. Gus
tom is a good deal more powerful than
reason and sanitary considerations. Kiss
ing will doubtless continue for ages TO
come. and the doctors will not only col
lect millions of fees for services rendered
those who viii owe their taking of to
kissing. but they will have clear con-
sciences in knowing that their duty TO
their race has been performed in putting
all upon notice Of the danger.
As people Will not stop kissing, the
wise will a { once seek for something that
VIII 3araIvze the microbe and prevent in
lection when it is neces saTy for the act Of
OSCILLATION TO be performed. DIR. Koch,
the distinguished German cholera expert,
advocated the use of diluted alcoholic
stimulants when one is exposed to cholera.
Against ordinary disease germs, however,
il is doubtful whether the forms Of stimu-
lants commonly in use are effective. In
fact, they are highly dangerous in them
selves. as they generate in the habitual
consumer a type Of monster a thousand
times more terrible than the comma
shaped micrObe. Thanks to our lucky
stars mankind has uncOnsciOusly stum-
bled upon a simple vegetable product that
has. no doubt, been the means Of saving
the lives Of thousands. 1t is called to mind
that in no instance has disease been COM
municated By kissing when either of the
PARTIES to the act were under the influence
of the common Glove. The discovery is
an important one, but is now communl-
Gated to the profession and to the world
for the benefit of the human race, and in
cidentally of the gTocers. And lastly,
but not Of least Importance, let the fair
sex understand that the Odor Of cloves on
a young mans breath is not conclusive
evidence that he has been INDUCING in
forbidden beverage-it only indicates that
he has fortified himself against infection
or eOntagiou. and Is ready 10 assist in per-
petuatIng the time-hOnOred custom of the
land