The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-01
PEDALS PREFERABLE
 TO HANDLES

v PEDALS PREFERABLE
 TO HANDLES You speak as though door knobs were the only important agencies in the spread of germs. How about bus handles, stair rails, straps for islanders on street cars, subway trains, etc.9 Why not make every one who is afraid of germs wear gloves, and keep the glove nanu- lecturers happy? (N. H.)
 do not recall having spoken of door knobs as though they were so important. Touching an ordinary door knob scarcely gives me faint shudder of anxiety. But I do hate to encounter a doorknob or 8 ham, dle of any kind in a lavatory. There is no reason why it should be nec- essary to touch anything touched by so many others in such circum- stances. The door may be a swing door which works without touching with hand. The faucets of the washbasin may be as readily con- trolled by pedal as by a handle. If the common towel is no longer permitted in lavatories, the com- mon tap handle and door knob should be ruled out too. In many such lavatories 1t is evident that the cost of installing these sanitary improvements could be met in 8 little while by simply discontinuing the senseless expenditure for smelly disinfectants or for trick appar- atus for dispensing disinfectants. If reasonable cleanliness is m aim tained and plain soap is available for washing, there is no useful pur- pose served by the noisome disin- fectant, germicide or antiseptic.
 If our friend N. H. implies that or Doc Brady is 8 nut about germs that's all right with me, but my honest opinion is that infection rarely occurs from handling bus handles, stair rails, straps, ordin- ary door knobs, papers, books, pa- per or metal money, stamps, etc. AS indicated, I have qualms only about touching things which may conceivably be freshly contamin- ated with disease germs. do not believe anything needs to be done about doorknobs, stair rails, etc., but I do believe there should be rigid ordinance compelling every one who sells food or drink to be consumed on the premises to pro- vide adequate means for washing the hands. Too many food and drink dispensing places lack such facilities or provide hand-washing means that spell GRAFT in large letters.
 Of course a stair rail or a strap on subway car may have been con- taminated with disease germs by the person who just touched it. But even so, ordinary soap and water washing would protect you against any infection in that way. Not so if your hand becomes contaminated on your way from washroom to the table where you are to eat or drink.
 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
 Dope
 Some time ago you gave talk about ben5edrine sulfate. Please tell me where I can get the tablets. am 40 years old, have had two ma jor operations. cannot afford to consult a private physician. .(Mrs. E. D.)
 Answer-If my conscience would permit I'd be happy to tell you where to get such dope and just how to use it. But that would be 8 wicked diSservice. If I know the medical profession, either of the doctors or the doctor who operat- ed on you will advice you now, you can pay fee or not.
 Fried Food
 Are foods fried in butter or vege- table oils hard to digest or harm full to health? (F. O. WO
 Answer-Such food is ss whole some and digestible as food cooked in any other way. People who live by their wits or as parasites may lind fried food a little more nour- Ishing than their, sluggish metabol- sm and digestive organs can ham, He. but that is no reason why hon. st working people or those who get enough exercise should not eat l ,ried foods.
 Athletes Foot
 At eco camp had athletes foot. | Doctor there painted foot with 'creoste and taro." Since leaving the camp have tried to get more of the