The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-07-12
The Microbe Twins
Meet Once More In
Pool Bathing Suit

In these days of individual drinking
cups. PAPER towels and other con'rlV-
Rnces for individual service to prevent
the spread of infection. 1t Is surprising
that the institution Of the rented ba'h-
ing suits still flourishes like green
bay tree This mcnacing custom OF
putting next to ones body garment
whose democratic tendencies have mace
It's character promiSCuous, TO say inc
least. Is relic Of the dark days When
hygiene was mystery to he cIose'cd
only with men OF science. and had no
moro appeal to the public than ChlneSe
metaphysics or pale NtnloE.
Although somewhat less revolving 10
the imagination than the family tooth
brush. the rented bathing suit is no
less dangerous IT doesn't even stay
within the family, but goes forth gaily
on It's permicious errands. as It Is hand
ed out through the little window at the
bathing house. skipping blithely from
skin to skin and frequently leaving Its
mark.
Oh. n great little mixer is this rented
bathing suit! Maybe that's why its Is
so popular. An experienced traveller
foo. and convenient carrier OF micro
scopIc organisms. Little Johnny Germ
takes a ride In one of them, ana on
his tourney meets N:He Mickey
Microhe.
Hello" says Johnny. haven't met
you somewhere before?
Sure thing" answers Mickey. 'don
YOU remember when" and then be-
gins a series Of "reminiscences, leading
IN TO the discovery that they had the
iyr,N oil
were both bathing suit babies
When we consider the powers vested
in our boards Of health. the means
placed at their command to checK IN
lection. or even the threat OF infection
Of any sort. their failure TO orihS
about concerted action against the rent
ed bathing suit Is startling. a board
OF health may quarantine man ana
make him prisoner in his own nome
for weeks. II may interfere with the
schedules Of trains and ocean gong Fes-
sells 1t may close schools. theatres
and churches. at the slightest evidence
OF danger. But no universal AN mas
vet been taken against the unsarrSsSTSS
rented bathing suit.
The habitual renter lays out enough
during the season to purchase suit
Of his own, so that the rented SUN
cannot be defended even on basis or
economy. The occasional renter VINO
leaves his suit at home. or goes IN
bathing once IN a great while. takes
big chance on every such occasion.
The low price at which good service
able bathing suit can be bought. places
II within the reach Of practically every
one. This, added to tho fact that the
owner Of a suit has the satisfaction
of looking better. feeling more comfort
able and knowing that his garment Is
clean and sanitary. makes the wide
spread use OF the rented bathinS suit
douely incomprehensible.
Steps are being taken in some parts
Of the ountry TO do away with TINS
dangerous practice by means OF suitable
LEGISLATION. Indeed, plans are under
vav for prohibiting the renting OF
bathing suits by act OF Congress. when
they succeed in doing this they VIII
have removed ono OF the menacins
relics of the dark ages in the history
of sanitation. The rented bathing suit
Is an anachronism in these enlightened
DAYS. II should co. and go for GOOD.
II should be numbered with the dodo'
the dinosaur and the pithecanthropus
erectus.