HEALTH NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 135, 9 June 1928, Page 17

HEALTH NOTES

HOME SANITATION A FEW HINTS All civilised people desire- to liavc clean and sanitary homes so that the family may live under the best and most healthful conditions. Most household methods are based on sound sanitary principles, although nearly all probably came into'general use long before much was known about, hygiene and' sanitation. The old method of sleeping scattered dust in blinding clouds, some of which found its way into the lungs of the sweeper. Then came tho carpet .sweeper, and now the vacuum cleaner, which, where electricity is available, has largely displaced the broom. Where tho old-fashioned method is still in use, in order to keep down the dust, wot tea leaves, or dampened "scraps of paper, should be scattered on the floor before sweeping. Even though harmful organisms may'not be present, dust causes mechanical irritation of the air passages which renders them more susceptible to the germs of colds, coughs, and like disorders. Vacuum cleaning, besides- being less strenuous than sweeping, has been a forward step in sanitation since the dust and dirt are removed and not scattered. Tho oiled dust mop for polished floors is also to be commended provided it is cleaned frequently. Since ordinary soap has mild disinfecting qualities, tho washing of clothes tends to destroy infectious organisms, while boiling and subsequent ironing make the clothes practically sterile. If plenty of hot water and soap are used in dish washing, there is very slight chance of infection from table utensils. Nevertheless, if a communicable disease exists in tho house, if is necessary to wash and scald the patient's .dishes and utensils separately. The mechanical dish-washers slowly coming into use depend for their effectiveness on the use of hot water of a temperature sufficient to kill all germs. Foods served in the raw state, such as fruits, celery, lettuce, etc., arc often handled by many people before reaching tho consumer. Careful washing is therefore necessary. Ordinarily, cooking kills all disease-producing germs, but cooked-foods may become infected from the hands of the cook unless she is careful. Tho practice of having separate towels and face cloths for each member of tho family is, fortunately, common, but even in households . otherwise beyond reproach from a sanitary standpoint there is often but a single glass for rinsing tho mouth after cleaning the teeth. Separate tumblers are almost as essential as.separate tooth brushes. One of the best disinfectants for use in the home is absolutely free,' but in sonic homes is little used. No disease germ can retain its vitality if exposed to the direct rays of the sun for a few minutes. The bathroom and the kitchen particularly should receive plenty of sunlight and fresh' air. Enough has been said to show that everyone has at his command excellent weapons against disease —sunlight and soap and water.