Deadly Telephones.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13673, 15 August 1908, Page 3 (Supplement)

Deadly Telephones.

GERMS IN MOUTH PIECES.."... According to a report furnished r by Dr Francis J. Allan, the. medical .officer, of Westminster, to the " Lancet,".. an astounding result "has been attained from a test to discover whether.; tuberculosis germs existed in telephone 'mouthpieces. , One of the Post. Office, pubiic telephones oti the Central Exchange" was'wiped round with a " swab" to remove any existing germs in the mouthpiece* and; the contents of the "swab"; were'then used to inoculate two guinea, pigs.

i One gniriea pig was killed' Wenty-three days after inoculation, and showed similar signs of infection, thus proving that the deadly germs of tuberculosis, can be transmitted by public telephones as at present in general use! '','■'' . This. pTOve's!; conclusively . tlie truth '; of the assertion . that' all telephones, whether in public or private use, should be periodically disinfected as in the case of London ; v Stock Exchange, where fifty telephones 'are sprayed daily x with a disinfectant under an agreement with the General Post Office. ' pointed.out,that 'there can scarcely be a. more suitable place, for harbouring organisms of. all kinds that a dark telephone call-box, with its stagnant air and dirty floor, itlie dust of which is brought in from the street and stirred .up and inhaled by each fresh caller. There is. increased risk that organisms off a genic character may be left behind by persons suffering from such complaints as diphtheria, influenza, or consumption.