HABIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 193, 15 August 1936, Page 13

HABIT.

I have been in all the large cities in Australia and New Zealand, and consider that for useful books, civility, comfort and attention the Auckland Library will compare with any library south of the equator. I have, been a subscribing member and a constant reader in the newspaper room and reference department for several years, and have observed that not more than one in twenty, including women, refrain from licking papers and books. It is surprising to see the number of people that feast on so many different kinds of germs from papers and books that have been licked hundreds of times. It is appalling to think that one who wishes to read papers from abroad must do so under such conditions. If medical men were to examine a paper that has been licked as above stated, it is quite possible that they would be able to trace the sources of cancer and many other complaints. With a great many, licking appears to be a general habit; go to a food or dry goods store, where bags and small wrappers are used, and you will meet the licker again and again, not exempting those that serve with polished and painted finger nails, now known as savage red. I have mentioned the matter to one of the officials, and suggested a printed notice; judging by the reply received, such notice would have no effect. , OUR WAYS.