davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
BOGUS LOTTERY TICKETS.
A Nephew Of Paul Conrad In the
CountCrfci.ing Business.

A gigantic scheme for unloading
bogus lottery tickets on the public has
been brought to light Mt Chicago by
the arrest of CASTOR Cazzcnvctti, n
nephew of Paul Conrad, late president
of the Louisiana Lottery Company.
There were found on his person thirty
eight mail orders for lottery tickets
and twenty telegraph orders for the
same goods.
While the counterfciting scheme is
only in it's infancy, tifty-two agencies
have already been established in rs
many cities in the United States. The
agents are not informed as to the fraud
and believe they are handling genuine
tickets. AS near as can be learned,
the bogus tickets already sold brought
in the sum of sc, 500, but if the scheme
had not been nippcd in the bud it
would have soon become very big
steal.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
The Lobster's Infancy.

The young lobster leaves it's paren is
and spends lis first thirty or forty-five
days in deep water. During this pc
riod its shell is changed four times,
the natatory organs arc lost, and only
after attaining nearly fu | size does it
come back to the shore. The young
lobster loses and remakes its crusty
she'll about ten times during the first
year, five to seven times in the second
year, three to four in the third, two to
three in the fourth. After the fifth
the change is annual.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
Tho Bridge of the Future.

Bridges made of steel beams imbed-
dcd in concrete promise to be the
bridge of the future, being cheap,
strong and graceful. Near Ulm, Ger
many, is bridge of this sort--invcnt-
cd at Paris in 1876 by Jean Monier,
which mas n span of $50 feet and yet
is less than seven inches thick at tho
apex or crown. The iron or steel in
such bridge strengthens it against
tension, while the concrete gives rigid
ity and withstauds crushing.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
Carncgie's Nail Works Burned.

Carncgic's wire and nail works, oc-
cupying n whole square in Beaver
Falls, Pa, were burned Friday night.
The total loss will reach 500, 900.
The works were equipped with the
finest machinery, all of which was de-
stroycd. Tho works were fully in.
surcd. Two hundred men will be
thrown out of employment.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
Cross Trails, Ala.

Tettcrine has cured nc of letter
which had been tormcntinG me for five
years. Nothing else would give any
relief. / have known of many persous
using it with same good results. 1t
gives the quickest relief for burns, of
anything L ever saw.
Mrs. S. II. HART.
Sent by mail for SOC by J. Il. Shup-
trine, Savannah, Gin.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
pOpuIist Convention Called.

A special call for n national meeting
of the popuIist party has been issued.
Th" convention will be held in St.
i"miS, The call is the result "f The
n"ii"n '"k'n by The hi. m"'ai'" league
ia Recommending she "stnhlirhm"nt of
u"w AiiNur pnrty,
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
Highest Of all in Leavenng Pow-Latest u Govt Report
R9>!a,!!l! 9! ks'kiis&l BsktR&
ABSOLUTELY pUEE
Got Back at Them.

Bob--Whnt did the lecturer cay
when you threw those cabbaScs ut
him?
Dick--Ob, he said he had hoped the
audience would be pleased, but he
really hadn't expected they would en-
tircly loso their heads. - Ddtia$ Her.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07

The Vermont Legislature has passed
n bill designating the cred clover" rs
the stntc flower. The vote taken
throughout the state resulted rs fol-
lows: Whole vote cast, 17,G1l; red
clover rcccivcd9 9,572; daisy,2 567; but
trr-cup, 90; scattering, 1928. The
clover was selected on the grounds
that it is indigenous, fragrant and most
useful.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
Packing Grapes in Japan.

When the japanese wish to send
grapes TO distant friends they pack
them in boxes of nrrowroot. Light
and air are thus clfcctually shut out
and the delicate bloom is also pre-
served, even though the fruit has been
transported thousands of miles.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
Right Arm Paralyzed!
Saved from St. Vitus Dance.

"Our daughter, Blanche. now fif-
teen years Of age, had been terribly
afflicted with nervousness, and had
lost the nitro use of her right arm
We feared St. NituS dance, and tried
the best physicians, with no benefit.
She has taken three bottles of DR..
Miles Ncrvinc and has gained 81
pounds. Her nervousness and SymD-
toms OF st. NituS dance are entirely
gone, she attends school regularly,
and has recovered complete use Of
her arm. her appetite is splendid"
Mrs. L. K. BULLOCK BRIGHTON NV
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07

We offer One Hundred Dollars Reward for
any case OF Catarrh that cannot he cured by
Halls Catarrh Cure.
-. CUESEY d Co, Prop'.. Toledo. q.
We, III" undersigned, have known +. j. Che
ncy tor the last 10 year.. and believe linn per-
frctly honorable in all business trans act IONS
AMI financially able tu carry out any obliga-
tion made Ly their Grm.
w EST ~ TRUAX, Wholesale Druggists, Toledo,
Ohio.
WALDING, KINNAN e MARVIN, Wholesale
Druggists, To clo. Ohio
Halls Catarrh Cure is taken internal Y, act
Ing directly upon the h'ond and mucous sur-
iacrs of the system. Price, ijc. per bottle.
Sold by all Druggists. Testimonials free.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07

DIR. Eilmer's Sw AMr- DOT cures
all Kidney and Bladder troubles.
Pamphlet and Consultation free.
Laboratory Binghamton, y. \.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
Of ice

WANT every man aud woman in the tuitcd
States int-rc.t'd in the Opium and Whisky
habits Ia haV' my book on these Gi-cas :.
Address Is. NJ. Wonllry, Atlanta, Ga, Box Isl,
and one WILL be sent YOU free.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
In thTs Woik-,-Dn, World

Men and women continually break down
through mental strain and phy.i al effort.
The true rcpairer of vitality thus impaired, a
perennial fountain OF health and Nigor Is
HoStettcr's Stomach Bttcrs. which restores
digest ion, cnriChcs the blood, and hcalthful'y
stimulates the h rwcis kidneys and liver
when they are ndo mt. This comprehensive
remedy also subducs malaria, rhcnmati-hl
and nervousness.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
WHY Iput on

Karl's Glover Root the great boo purifier,
gives freshness and clcurucSS to the complex
ion and cures constipation. - c.S., % cts, 81.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07

Nearly n million aud II half dollars remain
unclnimcd in the Now York snNingS banks.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07

After six ycars's suffering, was cured by
Piso's Cure MNRY TuOMSoN. - IL Ohio
Ave-. \ Icg'i, ny. Pa. March II, ~.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07

Mr.. Win~lOw'- Soothing syrup for children
tCrthiug. >OftcnS the gums. rcdu ncs in .lamnla-
ton. allayS pain, cures wind collie 25c. Il bottle
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07

taking medicine until you are sick? You can
keep Il box of iiipaus TabulcS in the house and
at the first signs Of II headache or bilious at
tack a single $bulc will relieve you.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
IInw', This.

In these days of incss dcprc sion the
sheriff sCcmS To he the per istcnt ADVERTISER.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07

'Eatnhlcs and Drinkablcs" is the
sign displayed on the front of an old
house in lInvcrhill, Mass.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-12-07
Imperfect
DRAINAGE

is Il fertile source of
disease. Is YOUR
blood suffering from
defective sewerage?
Impurities cannot ac-
cumuIate if you will
use ordinary prccau-
ton and
RipanS
abules,
tie modern rem
edy for a sluggish
condition of Liver
and Biood. Try it
now ! Don't procras-
tlnate.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
AT Central.' Music hall. {. Chicago,

AT Central. Music. hall. /. Chicago,
tomorrow evening, Franklin Mac
Veagh will formally open his cam
paigu for the United States senator
ship. As the chosen leader of the
Illinois democracy he will announce
the issues upon which the state can
vass is to be conducted. With MIR.
MacVeagh as their regularly accred-
tied leader, the democrats have a de
cided advantage over the republicans
in the present campaign. So far as
the contest for the senatorship is
concerned. the republicans are I'M
able to present united front. The
party is divided into factions, each
having its own candidate.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
a Little GIRLS Exosrlsrce in a L,gntt ou e.

Mr.. and Mrs. Loren Prescott are
keepers of the Gov. Lighthouse at
Sand Beach, Mich. and are blessed
with daughter, four years old. Last
April she was taken down with
measles, followed with a dreadful
cough and turning into fever
Doctors at home and at Detroit treat
ed her, but in vain, she grew worse
rapidly, until she was a mere '.hand-
full o. bones. Then she tried DR..
Kings New Discovery and after the
use of two and a half bottles, was
completely cured. They say DR.
Kings New Discovery is worth its
weight in gold. yet you may try a
bottle. free at Hartz & Ullemeyer's.
STRENGTH AND HEALTH.
If you are not feeling strong and
healthy. try Electric Bitters. If LA
Grippe" has left you weak and weary.
use Electric Bitters. This remedy
acts directly on liver, stomach and
kidneys. gently aiding these organs
to perform their functions. If you
are afflicted with sick headache, you
will find speedy and a permanent re-
lief by taking Electric Bitters. One
trial will convince you that this is
the remedy you need. Large bottles
only soc. at Hartz & Ullemever's.
BUCKLEN'S ARNICA sALvE.
The best salve in the world for
cuts, bruises, sores, ulcers, salt
rheum, fever sores. letter, chapped
hands. chilblains, corns and all skin
eruptions. and positively cures
piles or no pay required. 1t is guar
anteed to give perfect satisfaction, or
money refunded. Price IS cents per
box. For sale by Hartz & Ullemeyer
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31

GEs. L. j. HENDERSON has been
again beaten for the republican NOM
ination for congress in the new Elev-
enth district. Beaten once by his
own party this year after having
rendered 20 years of distinguished
service in congress. during which
he, more than any other man, secured
the Hennepin canal appropriations,
the death Of the nominee gave him a
chance to try again to succeed him.
self at least in his party's estimation
and a, far rs its influence went. Yes
terday ut Strcator, however. he was
again turned down, the republican
convention naming Henry Mayo, of
Ottawa.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
VALUATION OF THE HOMES.
The Aggregate and Average in City, Town
and Rural District.

The Aggregate and Average in City, Town
and Rural District
The cities of 5000 to 100000 population
have 2l4.6l3 incumbered homes occupied
by owners worth s139, SAG ,OS7, with an in
cumbrance amounting to SO, GIL ,974,
which is 1855 per cent. of the value. In
the cities OF 100000 population and over
the value of the l6s. 1G9 incumbered homes
occupied by owners is 1894, l91, ST. and
these homes are incumhered for 1898. Oo9.
S'i3, or for 42.07 per cent. of their value.
In the country outside of cities and towns
OF 5000 ,ople and over the value of the
421,1l incumbered homes occupied by
owners Is 1855 .337. COS, and The incum-
or nee i Sol, 81, I95, or 1910 per cent. of
the valua.
Ia The cities having at least 100. 900 popu.
la'icn. 5000 represents the average value
OF each owned and incum bered home
New York has the highest value-slg. 300;
, IN francisco second, s. 1913; Brooklyn.
third, s. ,3l9; Omaha fourth, $40, and
Washington fifth. SOS. The annual in
terest charge on each owned and in
numbered home in these cities is Sl3s.
the highest amount being S43S in New
York, and the lowest amount $50 in
Louisville. Denver has the highest aver
aSearate of interest on the incumbrance
on owned and incumbered homes, namely
49, per cent. and New Orleans is second.
with 1.S per cent; New York has the
lowest rate, 495 per cent, and Boston
stands next with ). IA per cent.
Over "a per cent. of the incumbrance
on owned farms was incurred in buying
real estate and making improvements,
aud over SO per cent. of the total incum-
brance was for the purpose of buying and
improving real estate, investing in busi-
ness. etc. Over 81 per cent of the incum-
brance on homes was incurred to secure
the purchase money and to make i'm
movements
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
CAPITAL AND CONFIDENCE.


An That Is Needed For the American Peo-
pie to Start Up Again.
Everybody who has money is tired
Of getting per cent or no per cent for
1t Every business man who has been
lying ON his oars is crazy to do some-
thing or engage in something he under
stands. Every enterprise which has
been dormant is feeling its way for cap
ltal and confidence. Labor is every
where eager for work and employers
still more eager to open their works. 1t
only requires the normal machinery Of
the country to move in normal way,
for consumption to again make demands
upon production.
When the history of the late panic
comes to be written and the troubles in
cident to it, one Of its remarkable fea-
lures will be the effect upon railway
traffic, upon AN business of IS, goo, 900
people, of those who had to and those
who had no need to economize, but did
SO in every possible way. When one
family uses the old stove with the
cracked lids and pastes paper over the
broken pane of glass and does not renew
any of the furniture or crockery, when
they wear last years clothes and go
from food which might be Injuries to
food which simply supports life, the eco
nomics are demonstrated which follow
total or partial loss Of income.
Precisely that process has been going
on for two-thirds of year among 90
per cent of our population. 1t has made
clear the fact that the American people,
who are charged, and probably justly,
with being the most extravagant people
in the world, can live as closely as any
body when it becomes necessary. But
the effect upon merchants, middlemen
and carriers in the volume of their bust
ness and their profits is disastrous be-
yond any process which has ever affect
ed the business of the country.-Chaun-
cey NJ. Depew in New York Tribune.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31

MASSACHUSETTS, has an "arbitra-
ton and Cancellation commission. :"
consisting of three members. When
a strike occurs, it is the duty OF the
commission to investigate on the
ground and by working with the
strikers and employers. attempt to
harmonize their differences to con-
ciliate. The commission cannot act
rs a beard of arbitration until the
men go to work. in other words. the
law does not permit the commission
to arbitrate while n strike is in pro-
-ress.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
Not So Easy to Entertain EOyaltv.

Apparently the entertaining of royal
ty has its little disadvantages. When
the Princess of Wales accepted Lady
Dudley's invitation to her dance last
week, she stipulated that only $50 peo-
pie were to be asked. When the list Of
the chosen was sent to Marlborough
House, SO many were struck off that only
80 unmarried girls were left, several of
the hostess own near relatives being
ruled out. The consequence was the
ball was a future, for the few guests in
vited could hardly find each other in
the vast rooms of Dudley House. Lon
don Correspondent
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31

Hoods Pills are handmade. and
perfect in proportion and appear
ance-25c per box.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
TURKISH Bath ROOMS

Baths OF all kinds. including
Turkish, plain, shampoo, cleo
trio, electro-thermal, etc, NAY
be obtained At the Sanitarium
Bath Rooms, on the FIRST floor Of
the Harper House.
ROOMS OPEN.
For Ladies-From 9 a. N. to
IL N. on week days For Gen
tlemen-From 6 q. N. to ESQ q.
NJ, and from 2 p. m. to 9 p. u.
on week days On Sundays the
rooms will be open from s a. m.
to II a. n. for Gentlemen only.
Electric and Electro-thermal
baths may be obtained at any
time during business hours.
Gymnasium connected with bath
rooms
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
Mr.. WiIson,aHAnawer.

No better reply to-.the gibes and
taunts of the protectionist agents in
congress could be made than this ut
tcrance OF Congressman William l..
Wilson in accepting denomination
Thursday:
But all this does not imply dis
satisfaction with our own party rs n
whole. or distrust rs TO its meanings
and intentions. n the closeness of
the vote in one house of congress
gave opportunity for few to COM
bine against the people and against
all the rest of their party and OBJ
struct its faithful efforts to redeem
its pledges, the overwhelming mass
of the democrats in the country are
subject to no just criticism. They
have Kept the faith. They have been
true to their principles. We may
ourselves denounce or bitterly con-
denim those that failed us in this
fight. We are not. therefore. sub
Jcct To condemnation by our oppon-
cnts. IL we have done less in the
way of relieving the peoples
burdens than we had hoped
and promised, they would have
done nothing at all. II we have
anywhere uncovered trust and
found it too strong for our complete
dislodgment in the first attempt, we
have never failed to find them stur-
Oily and solidly arrayed for the de-
Tense. The weapons with which mo-
nopoly has fought us they have
forged and tempered and supplied.
The intrenchments and fortresses
behind which privilege has shielded
itself from our attack they have
buildcd for 1t, stone by stone. and
stronghold by stronghold.
This Is something to which the
Reeds and McKinleys. etc, cannot
blind the eyes of the people. If cor
poratc monopoly has been found so
strong as to resist party armed
with the mandate Of the people it is
because it has been built up and in
trcnched by the very men who now
presume to sneer at the victims of
its insolent might. 1t is the protec-
tionists who are to blame for the in
adequacy Of the tariff bill. not the
revenue reformers. Mr.. Wilson goes
to his constituency with an unequivo-
cal certificate that he has done his
duty cleanly and fearlessly.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
Wreck on the Iii. -Four Road,

PANA, Ills. Aug. 81 IA serious wreck
occurred on the Big Four ut Tower Hill,
when the Nation accommodation from
st. Louis collided with two fiat ears load
ed with stone. The passenger train was
going at the rate Of thirty miles an hour
Not single person, passenger or train
hand, was injured. \ stone weighing
1900 pounds was lodged in the passen ger
engines boiler. The wreck Will result in
a loss of Si0,ouo to the company, as the
engine is total wreck, as We'll us the
cars, tuck etc
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
FIGURES ON HOMES.
Interesting Statistics Given by
the Census Office.
FARM AND HOME PRoPRIEToRsH1P.

Nearly Half the Families in the Country
Own Their Homes. and ss Per Cent. of
These we've No mountaineering Sit
That In tho City and Town-Aggregate
and Average Values.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 81. - The census
office has given to the public the
principal results of the investigation
Of farm and home proprietorship in all of
the states and territories. This is the
first Investigation Of the kind ever con-
duct d in any country. OF the Il, 600, l52
families in the whole country almost IS
per cent own their farms and homes. and
the rest hire. OF the families owning
farms and homes almost 2S per cent. have
membranes, and over - per cent have
no incumbrance. The number of resident
owners OF land in the United States is
6,066,4lS, to which must be added any
land owners who may be living in tenant
families. The farm families number
1870 i.9, of which &C per cent own their
farms and Others hire. OF the owning
families over IS per cent have incum-
ORANGES on their farms. In 1850 25 Sc per
cent. Of the farms were hired
Situation In the Great Cities.
In the cities that contain over 10O, 900
population there are ,94S, S34 home fami-
lies. OF which almost % per cent. own and
T" per cent? hire, while OF the owning
families rs per cent. own subject to incum-
bsancc. Among the cities having 100. 900
population and over New York has the
highest percentage of home tenancy, nearly
1857; Boston is next, with Sl51 per cent
brooklyn third, with 81. a per cent; Jersey
City th,swith si.2 per cent, and Gin
cinnati fifth, with Sns2 per cent The per-
centage for Baltimore is 1894: Buffalo.
GOES; Chicago, 1l.2s; Cleveland, 6O90;
Denver, 1O.s9; Minneapolis. Is So; New Or
leans, .s.5l; Philadelphia, 1sa4; st. Louis,
.95S; 81. Paul. 20 so; San Francisco, as. 46.
AL Washington, ID. c., "a So The small
est percentage -J6-represents Rochester,
n. Y.
membranes and Interest.
Bringing the urban population into
contrast with the non-urban population.
almost A per cent of 4 pa $50 families
living outside of cities and towns of 5000
people own their homes, and IS per cent
hire. Oh the owning families 81 per cent
own without incumbrance The value of
the 1.695, $50 incumbered farms and homes
Is 50 6s1. 296, 0d9. and the incumbrances ag-
gresate 8. l32, $40 sos, or 81 so per cent of
tie value. OF the incumbrance on farms
and homes over % per cent bears interest
Mt rates less than per cent: "a per cent.
at the rate of per cent, and IL per cent.
ut rates greater than per cent.
Average Value of Farms and Homes
The average of value of each owned
txr,~r1
is IS, Az, of each incumbered home, So
25) and the average incumbrance on each
of the farms is 81 ,224; on leach incumbered
home 81, 2!t3. The $50, 957 farms subject to
inc I'M brance are worth 50, O54 923 1G5, and
the incumprance is 81, 0S5 ,s95 960. or 1915
per cent. of the value. The So, 1913 homes
subject to incUmbrance are valued at S22,-
632,3i4, 904 and the incumbrance is ST.
GAG. 35s, COS. or 80 - per cent. of the value
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
Co-Operation Not IA success.

HUBBARD, o., Aug. 3l.-The Co Opera
tive Rolling Mill company, which was or
ganiEed several months ago to operate the
idle mill in this place, has declared its
first divident. The amount is per cent.
All the employees of the mill, except the
bookkeeper. have left 80 per cent OF their
earnings in the general fund of the insti-
tuition since it was started, aud they are
not at all satisfied with the amount re.
ceiyed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
FRIDAY, AUGUST 81. 1894.

The difference OF sentiment with
which the railroad managers view
the force and application of the in
terstate commerce law before and
after the strike is remarkable. They
plead for its protection before. and
defy its power afterward.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
Stand Against Secret Societies.

COLUMBUS, o., Aug. 3l.-The Evangelical
Lutheran joint synod of Ohio has ad-
journed. After discussing the secret So
ETY. question the following was adopted:
That we thank God that many of our
congregations, according to the rule al
ready adopted, have taken decided stand
against all secret orders, and we will
earnestly labor and pray that all, sooner or
later, may take the same decided stand. {"
This leaves the matter open to still further
discussion
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31
Guilty Of Fraudulent Banking.

HARLAN, Ia, Aug. 3l.-At the trial of
A. w. Dickerson, cashier Of the broken
Cass county bank OF Atlantic, Ia, the
prisoner pleaded guilty on the charge Of
fraudulent banking.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-31

1t is the duty of everyone, whether
at home or travelling for pleasure or
business, to equip himself with the
remedy which will keep up strength
and prevent illness, and. cure such
ills as are liable to come upon all in
every day life. Hoods Sarsaparilla
keeps the blood pure and less liable
to absorb the germs of disease.