The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-14
MILLIONS OF GERMS
ON DOLLAR BILLS
Milwaukee Professor Finds
Nearly tOO,OOO,OOOof Them
On a Single Bill.

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, Feb. 13-There was
only 96,09O,429 germs on an ordinary,
crusty, old 81 bill. This is the discovery
made by DIR. Ohio Fielder, city analyst
of the Milwaukee health department. who
for several weeks has been making a bac-
THEOLOGICAL examination of paper money.
Although the number of bacteria ap-
pears almost inconceivable, and is GER
tainly terrifying to the initiated. DR..
Fielder does not consider his discovery
at all alarming. Old money, he believes,
should not be kept in circulation, but he
does not believe that the amount of dis
ease spread through the circulation Of
currency is of any great volume.
DR.. Fielder has been making an ex-
animation of paper money at the request
of George H. D. Johnson, connected with
the office of E. p. Bacon, who is in Wash
ington at present, representing the local
Chamber of Commerce in the interest Of
the post check currency bill. The results
of the doctors analysis are being used
by Mr. Johnson as an argument before
the committees of congress in favor Of
the measure.
Although the bill primarily Is aimed to
permit the sending of small sums Of
money through the mail, without requir-
ing a money order another feature that
IS urged in its favor is that 1t would have
a tendency to retire old money and keep
new currency constantly in circulation.
Mr.. Johnson hopes to influence the &C
ton of the committee by proving the
bilis.
DR. Fielder last night, when asked re-
garding the reported investigation being
made by him, was reticent about dis
cussing it, claiming that, while he had
sent an Introductory report to Mr.. John
son, he had not completed the examina-
ton. While he had determined the num-
Der of bacteria on several old bills. he said
he had not made further analysis to de-
termine the proportion Of pathogenic or
disease producing germs.
New Bill Carried 600 Germs.
OF the six bills examined he found the
following: First bill, 49, 600 bacteria; sec
ond bill, $500 bacteria; third bill, 245, 900
bacteria; fourth BILL a. 900 bacteria; fifth
bill, sc, 090, 423 bacteria; and sixth bill. 900
bacteria. All of the bills used were Of the
81 denomination, and had been in circula-
ton several years, with the exception of
the-last one examined, which was a crisp,
new BILL circulated only few days This
contained 900 germs. DR.. Fielder also be-
lieves that in each case the bill may have
contained more bacteria than the eXami-
nation found, owing to the possibility of
their being washed off during the test.
although the figures might appear to
be such as to prove that handling of pa
per money was a great danger, would
not go on record as making such state
ment," said DR.. Fielder, ''for I believe
just the contrary Although 1 have not
completed the test, and have not ascer-
!alned the proportion OF disease produc-
ing germs, / am inclined to believe the
number is comparatively small. / am led
to this conclusion by the fact that the
disease producers can not stand the sun
light such as paper money is subjected to
in handling. The conditions are not sat
isfactory for them to live. 1 am willing to
admit, however, the possibility that pro-
portion of these are disease germs, and
capable of spreading disease
81 am also willing to say that the han
ding of old bills certainly is more dan
gerous than to handle new bills, and any
eystem which would retire the old and
bring the new into circulation will have
the support Of those interested in sanitary
science.
'I had no intention that this investiga-
ton should be made public, because 1t is
being made at the request of Mr.. John
son, and my reports are being made to
him"