Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-09-17
Health Officer Foulks Says
He Doesn't Expect Prac-
& tice Will be Reduced
GERMS IN DR0PLETs
Advocates Wrapping All Bread at
Bakery Where Made-Other Timely
Questions Answered.


lNN - S
Ques.a-" In washing the hands with
soap and water, does the soap kin
any germs that may be on the hands :?
Ans.-No. Soap commonly used for
domestic. purposes has no germicidal
power whatever. Its action dissolves
the oil or grease, and this helps the
water: to cleanse the skin. Of course
during the process of washing, many
germs are removed from the hands,
but not all. Those that are washed off
are in no way injured py the process.
That is the reason why the waste
water from wash stand or bath tub
is almost as dangerous as human ex-
cretions. In the prevention of disess"
it is just as important to dispose of
such wash water in sanitary man
ner, as it is the drainage from the
toilet. The waste water from thelaun-
dry is full of bacteria, and unless it is
brought to the boiling point-that is
212 degrees F-any typhoid, diphth-
eria or other pathogenic germs arc
still active and able to cause disease.
Ques.-"Is it true that the death
rate is higher in this Country now
than twas 5 or more years ago."
Ans.-No. chalaange any person
to produce reliable statistics to sup
port such statement. The mortality
from yellow fever typhoid, cholera,
smallpox, diphtheria and malaria, so
or rs yearsago, was, taken as whole,
simply apafliEg! The mortality from
typhoid fever, taking the seven years
from 1911 to 1917, has been reduced
more than 40 per cent, while the gen
eral death rate for all ages from one
to 81 years; has been reduced from
to 20 per. cent.
Cues. Gam You judge, the quality
of the water from a we'll, spring or
city supply from its appearance and
taste?" Il: y ,h.ii=<::
Ans. No., you cannot. The water
from a';wen; spring brother suppp.y
may be;;asIcleaysas crystal snd, taste
less, yet,,ssbadly infected, with typhoid
germs. And aon; the otker,;hand, "a: wa
ter. may be more or less turbid ar
even have a distinctly unpleasant
tasteSNYet Ssffees from contemplation
and absolutely safe to drink. The only
way to gtsIlS:as safe. water is=sto have
It tested in. an up-to-date labortory.
Ques.z-".Gan a, person catch dis
east by iuhaling the breath of sick
persor?"' !. s.
Ans: No. The breath alone does not
carry athe germs of disease, but in
coughing, sneezing. and often in talk
ing, . fine spray is elected and these
minute etropfets' can carry the germs,
which if inhaled may. produce dis
ease. Various, diseases sssuch as in
fluenza,: tuberculosis, pneumonia, dip
htheria and even the so called COM
mon 'colds" are usually transmitted
in this: way, asithe germs are present
hithe secretions of the mouth, noste
or throat of,a person suffering from
SUCH diseases: i,
| might also state that kissing is
the most deadly means + know of in
passing disease, germs from one per-
son to another, but l do not for a
moment expect this statement to re-
dlce this; delightful practice the thou
sandth part of one per cent!
Ques. bakers wrap their
bread in wax paper. Is this coed
thing ard if SO, why don't they all
do it,"
Ans.-7All bread should be wrapped
at the bakery and the time will come
when general law vii lrequire it tc
be done. The reason Is obvious. The
crust of an unwrapped loaf of bread
comes into direct cntact with man,
hands before it reaches the consumer
and these hands are not at all time
verify clean. Remember, lot of germs
have been left on the crust before j
reaches your grocery store. Then the
take it in hand and stack, it, ON tn
shelf or in a show ease, leaving
few more germs upon it. Now yo
cone in. fr a loaf: The clerk grab
one-adas few more germs-ptunk
it down on the counter like All ol
brick, tears off a section of papt