St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-05
Old Paper Bills Shown to Be
Loaded With Germs Of
Disease.
Proposition for the Frequent
Exchange OF Soiled for
New Notes.
Three Kinds Of Bacteria Dis
covered on a Bill Of the
1878 Series.
Gilbert A. Pierce Appointed
as Minister Resident to
Portugal.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4,-Representa-
tive Cultivate, of Ohio, has taken up,
.and,in view of the danger of cholera in
vasion. will press vigorously at this
session of congress proposition for The
frequent exchange of soiled paper
money for new notes. An investigation
made at his suggestion has shown that
old greenbacks and bank notes contain
the germs of disease to an unusual de-
gree. and there is reason for apprehen-
sion of them as a producer of disease.
In view of the necessity of the utmost
precautions against the spread of chol-
era in this country next summer, Mr..
Cultivate has introduced a bill direct
ing the secretary of the treasury to
make the necessary regulations to Sc
cure the speedy and frequent redemp-
ton of all United States paper currency
and all national bank notes which have
become soiled impure, nnclean and
otherwise unfit for use, when presented
in sums of not less than 500 and for the
preparation and issue of new United
States paper currency in place of such
as shall have been redeemed. Fifty
thousand dollars are appropriated, to
become Immediately available,to enable
the secretary of the treasury to carry
into effect the provisions of the act.
Loaded With Bacteria.
The subject was first brought to Mr..
Outhwaite'S attention by DR.. Z. +.
Clark, of Columbus, and shortly after
wards the Bankers Association of Ohio,
to which Mr.. Cultivate wrote about the
matter, adopted a report in favor of
legislation TO secure frequent eX-
change of notes. DIR. j. c. Graham,
bacteriologiSt of Starting Medical col
lege, was asked 10 make an inveStiga-
ton, and his partial report discloses the
fact that old paper money is as full of
bacteria as eggs are said to be Of meat.
Dr.. Graham writes that he made an eX.
animation of eight bills. A 81 bill Of
the series of 1878 showed three. kinds of
bacteria, one Of the series of 1856, two
kinds; two 50 bills of the same series
one each, and another dollar bill, series
of 1856, two kinds. The bills were all
much worn and very dirty. The cult
ure made OF the notes showed on each
OF them there was number Of bacteria
colonies which might some day, under
some circumstances, develop energy
enough to lmmgrate TO the human
system.
The English medical authority, the
London Lancet, says:
Two notes were found containing 49,
900 germs of various kinds. Cultures
were made in both, and they were in
jected into rats and guinea pigs, most
OF which died within twenty-fOur
hours"
o Mr.. Cultivate, speaking of his inten-
tions in the matter, said: GAS the pres
ence of cholera here next summer is
to be feared. we should take every pre-
caution against the spread of the dis
ease. | have accordingly introduced a
bill, and hope it will become law i'm
mediately. L will urge the banking
committee to report it, and, If it does
not do so, will ask the appropriations
committee to provide for the purpose.
Aside from its possible disease-Oreeding
character, all the persons in the West
and South, especially, Will welcome a
relief from the old and dilapidated
notes usually in circulation at present"