The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-07-27
 Health Talks
 By JOHN B. HUBER, A.M;M.D.
It is possible to banish all parasitic diseases from the face of the earth.
THE FEAR OF GERMS

diseases from the face of the earth -Pasteur.
 THE FEAR OF GERMS
 Many have jumped to the conclu- seon that all germs are disease-en- gendering; whereas, in point of fact, the majority of them are quite salu- are absolutely essential to healthful human existence
 Some germs are the scavengers Which convert dead and decomposing matter into constituents essential for plant growth. Were these workers to go on strike for 24 hours, putrefac- ton would be universal and corre- spondingly deadly, and most animal life would be unliyable and quite de- stroyed.
 to bread making. Others give to but ters their delicious and peculiar fla vors- Others ripen cheeses (though they sometimes stay a trifle overtime on on the 3ooIt has been asserted that in the late war the Germans saluted such kind of cheese as being of superior rank). Others play their most welcome part in the manufac- tufe or linen, in the curing of tobac- co, in tanning, in the evolution of useful acids.
 Then there are very intrinsic dff- Ierences in viru1ence among the pathosen1c or disease-producing germs Some are comparatively inoc- ooSh oSS IAo UdCI611u1n 1OunQ Tn plmples. Grading from this come all degrees of pathogencity, until we reach an extreme in the deadly strep. to,coccus, which produces septicemia. garonng the various modes of infec- uon-the various ways in which germs gain access to the body, Thus there is infection by direct contact as when one is bitten by a rabid dog, or as when a boy gets the tetanus bacillus from dirt into his wounded hand on the Glorious Fourth. by in- o!rect contact through clothing. bed d1ng, rugs and the like which may nave been worn or used by, say. a scarlet fever sufferer, or infection bv the 1ntermediation of flies, mosoui- toes or other insects (dysentery or maiaria); or air-home infection (tub- erculosis); or ingestion infection (cholera and typhoid fever.)
 The differences in duration of time ana the extent to which one has been Tn the company of the sufferer, must also be considered. Measles, for ex- sitory exposure; while, on the other nand, tuberculosis will not be con- tracted unless intimacy with a con- sumptive has been close, freouent and of 1eprosy N u Finally, we are to take into account the predisposition. Two factors must obtain in every infectious disease: Ph Sh,C1ASO o1 lI1S SpSC1I1C germ and the predisposition. By the latter is meant the weakening of the body by poverty, starvation. alcoholism or any other agency by which the organs and tissues are rendered susceptible to the microbic attack
 we have been vouchsafed a whole fot or knowledge concerning germs. It IS now essential to attain wisdom 10 olScern what is really to be feared. ana now and to what degree: to make right judgements, and then to 9ecloe upon what steps must be taken for rational prophylaxis. Tins WouIo a great deal of foolish and lnorEfy1ng pathophobia Clear of dis eaSe) be avoided.
 All Inquiries addressed to Dr. Huf,. CT in care of the Health Talks, De. P Pdrtment will be answered in these columns in their turn TIxs reonires tbn n time, however, owing to the great number received. So if a personal or quicker reply is desired. stamped and self addressed. en. Veiope must be enclosed with tI,a queStion.-EiitoF @Ao