Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-03-09
THE GRIPPE BACILLI.
One of the Most Prolific Mediums ft
Spreading Disease.

One of the Most Prolific Mediums for
Spreading Disease.
EDS. SUNDAY UNION: Just at the present
being expended by microscopists to dis
cover the origin and habits of the "grippe
bacilli." That the disease is contagious is
generally conceded by scientific men. 1t
requires no scientific research, only little
reflection and the exercise of common
sense, to discover the most prolific me-
dunn for spreading this contagious disease.
The writer is well aware that he is sp-
preaching very delicate subject. Never
theless, it is very important one, and
ought to be discussed and brought quite
generally before the public to the end that
the evil may be abated. 1t certainly ought
not to be as repugnant to the public to
state conditions of an offensive public prac-
tice as to have those offensive conditions
continually endured, when it is not neces.
sary. We are wont to criticise some of the
unseemly habits of our Chinese neighbors.
But we very much doubt if the better class
of Chinese are guilty of any practice that so
thoroughly violates decency, when viewed
from any correct standard of pro.
priety, as one very common practice
in our own society by men of SO called re-
fnement. The Chinese "pig-tair' is the
personifcation of propriety compared with
the horse-iail mustache. Every exhaling
of the breath deposits upon the mustache
deflement. Ifanyone has any doubt of
this let him submit his mustache to mi
croscopic examination within one hour
alter it has been thoroughly cleansed with
hot water and soap, and especially one
who is afflicted with a foul breath resulting
from chronic disease of the lungs, throat
or head No one with a long mustache
can expectorate without defiling it, and yet
men of culture (?) will come to a public
table and nauseate ladies and gentlemen
with the abominable exhibition of bedab-
bling their mustache in their soup, tea or
coffee.
But the disgusting appearance is not the
worst phase of the case. No one can take
drink of a water from public cup at
hotel ter-eooler or on railroad car
without drinking from cup in which an
indefinite number of filthy mustaches have
been rinsed, and thereby becoming de-
pository of disease.
Still more humiliating to our boosted
| culture and refinement, there is not all or
| thodox church in the land where one can
participate in the communion service with
| out drinking of the wine in which mus
\ taches have been rinsed, place of all
others where purity and cleanliness ought
| to preside for Cleanliness IS next to god
| liness." What commentary upon our
| boastsd refinement Culture God save
| the mark
Only few Sabbaths since l attended
public worship in large. high-toned fash
ionable church on Communion Day. The
pastor wore long mustache, completely
| hiding his mouth. He was troubled with
| frequent coughing, perhaps The result of la
| grippe. At any rate, he was obliged to
expectorste frequently. Many church
members thought it was not good day for
communion service, and did not participate
1t is not from an undue fastidiousness
that make this objection to the long mus
tache. 1t has unquestiongbly become q
very serious public nuisance, and most
prolific medium for spreading all manner
of head. throat and lung diseases, that are
more or less contagious.
While do not admire the style of any
mustache, the only objection make to the
short. curtailed sort, is the same as to a
moderate use of intoxicants as beverage,
the tendency to an improper growth, and
setting dangerous example.
/ have heard the argument advanced IN
defense of the mustacbe, THAT inasmIch
as God causes the mustache to grow, there
|
sufficient answer to that argument is
simply to state that God did not provide
the human family with garments ready
at birth, and therefore, with just as much
sense, we might maintain that it was
proper for people TO 90 into society in the
same condition We were created.
God has created Us with brains,
and endowed Us with reason, and
expects Us TO make good use OF our
faculties. One of the prime causes for the
alarming increase of head aud throat dis.
eases for the last decade or more, and now
the la grippe, may be found in the modern
long mustache, and is Just what might
have been expected. Unfortunately, the
.. | innocent have TO suffer with the guilty i
is charitable to think that it Is thougbtless
. ness in men who are afflicted with s
chronic catarrh, for instance, and wearing
| a long mustache that they must saiurat'
every time they put cup to their mouth t
drink. and even going to church com
munion in that condition And It is higl