KISSING

Southland Times, Issue 19223, 19 April 1924, Page 5

KISSING

“A DANGEROUS HABIT.” EXTRA-HAZARDOUS OCCUPATION. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association). NEW YORK, April 16. (Received April 18, 7.5 p.m.) Dr. Donald Armstrong, a noted actuarian of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, announced that long research of respiratory diseases by eminent physicians, has induced the Company to classify kissing as a so-called “extra-hazardous occupation” which means that an increased rate will be charged all applicants who admit frequent indulgence on the subject, which the newspapers are treating flippantly. Nevertheless, it has a sound, scientific basis, the effects being recorded in all mortuary tables. Research shows that kissing in the afternoon and the evening to be comparatively safe but highly dangerous in the morning because the germs have been accumulating during sleep. The Metropolitan Co. will probably be followed by lesser companies who are expected to shortly levy a similar increase in their rates. Dr. Armstrong meanwhile is devoting considerable time tot addressing civil bodies with the purpose of minimising the flippancy in the discussion on this practical consequence of the germ theory in disease.