New-York tribune., 1907-11-11
NO DISEASE ON MONEY.
DIR. DOTY'S OPINION.
Foolish to Consider 1T Medium of
Transmission, He Saus.

". while hart
logical examinations were presented to show that
different forms Of bacteria were found on money.
practical and careful observation had proved that
Infection was caused and epidenics were snrAad
IN nearly all instances by personal contact with
infected persons, and more especially with am,
bulant cases. rather than through the handling
of money and clothing He says moreover that
700 much needless and harmful agitation is he
ing devoted "a the theory that money is an agent
Of disease. He contends that there are rnanv
other considerations in the protection of public
health that constitute real menace that should
take Up the consideration of the public rather
than conditions which are based on theory. Con
cerning the current agitation on money as an
agent Of disease. Dr. Doty said:
THE theory that money acts as a medium Of
infection is a plausible one. particularly as it
deals with an agent which is being constantly
transmitted from one person TO another and
among all classes OF people. Clothing, rags.
merchandise, cargoes OF vessels. etc. are also
regarded as means by which disease is COM
monty transmitted.
WHERE BACTERIA ARE FOUND
This belief is popular because 1t offers an
explanation for outbreaks of infectious disease
the origin Of which is unknown. Modern sani-
tstion. however. does not regard as valuable
theories which are unsupported by fact or prac-
teal experience. The theory that money acts
< q medium OF infection carries with il no
satisfactory or even reasonable proof II is true
that from time TO time the results of bacterio-
logical examinations are presented 10 show that
different forms Of bacteria are found on money.
No who is familiar with the subject doubts
this. but the same organisms may at almost any
time be found our hands. on stair ratings
and all exposed places. These bacteria are as
rule harmless. and some of them are benefit
70 mankind. Even from meteorological point
of view there are reasons why money would not
be likely 10 transmit disease However this
question must be decided principally by reliable
statistics and the results Of PRACTICAL experience
HANDLING MONEY IN BULK
Whoever may be inclined TO investigate this
subject in a reasonable way and will visit the
Treasury Department at Washington, where an
enormous amount Of old and filthy paper money
IS being constantly handled and rehandled or
will seek information from bank officials. will
find that those who are connected with this
work do not contract infectious disease any
oftener than any one else.
There is reason why persons thus en-
rloyed may not contract infectious disease. be-
cause they are subjected IN the same outside
exposure that others are, but this furnishes no
proof that money is the medium of transmits
sion. II Is rather he regarded as a coinci-
dence There Is probably doubt that in rare
instances money. like other things. may act as a
means of transmitting disease, but It is so un-
common that we must not give II undue
sideration. for there many other con-
eiderations with which must deal in pro-
tecting the public health that constitute real
menace that we should rather devote our ener-
gfes to these than TO conditions which are based
on theory. The fear that money transmits dis
Tarcr aIzv 9rIp 70 he act
that It is frequently old and filthy. While this
Is unpleasant in many ways, it does not indicate
the presence Of pathogenic organisns-that Is
+he germs which transmit infectious disease.
WORKERS AMONG RAGS.
Roth domestic and foreign rags are also re-
ea-dAd as a medium of Infection. and commerce
has frequently been crippled by the detention
nd disinfection Of vessels arriving from foreign
ports having rags as a part of their carGoes
s-ilI. We have no reasonable evidence that this
material transmits disease. My own Observa-
ton in regard to this part Of the subject in
cIudes not only the collection Of reliable statis-
ties from paper manufacturers in this country.
INT also 2 perronal investigation of the rag
depots ~ Alexandria, Egypt. Here rags. con-
slsting principally Of Egornout clothing or gowns
gre brought from al parts Of Lower Egypt IN
rone crates. and are sorted and resorted by
70 evidence had ever been presented to show
that these ragpickers were more subject to IN
fictitious disease than those not connected with
the work
'Tbsss statistics were carefully compiled by
British sanitary officers who charged with
the protection of the public health in the coun-
try Just referred TO- The same results were OBJ
fained in the investigation Of this subject In
connection with paper manufacturers in the
United States. where the bulk Of foreign and do
Inesttc rags used
Careful investigation has. during the last few
years, thrown much light the subject of the
transmission OF disease and a consequence
many popular theories have been shattered. It
w&s not very long ego that clothing was re-
gar,}ed as one of the common means by which
Yellow fever was transmitted We know now
tha. this disease is transmitted only by the mos
quito and that clothing has nothing whatever
70 do with It.
MALARIA FROM MOSQUITO.
Until recently Il was believed that malaria
was caused by bad air ernauations from swamps.
etc Conclusive evidence. however. has been
Presented 20 show thet this theory is Incorrect.
and that malaria IS a!so transmitted by the
mosquito.
Those Who actually deal with infectious dis
and carefully study the means by which
& is transmitted learn that clothing, money,
e.rSoes Of vessels etc. net as a medium OF in
fect;ea only III rare instances, and what we
have most 10 fear in our efforts To prevent the
Appearance or extension of infectious disease is
the presence OF mild and unrecognized cases
T.:ch often occur and which constitute one of