Easily Scared

The EngllBh public appears at this moment to be un'der the spell of a bacillic spectre which disturbs severely the peace of mind of the well-to-do. With the advent of the epidemie of grip the doctors relied upon oysters and champagne as a mitigating remedy. Just at that time it was reported that typhoid fever was a possible sequence to indulgence in the first. In consequence the bivalve was avoided, with a corresponding increase in the dose of champagne. Following close on the heels of this theory carne the discovery that death lurked in watercress. Dr. Verdon, the medical officer of the health board of Lambeth, stated officially, after an inspection of the various watercress farms about London, that the plant was contaminated with sewage water and consequently dangerous to the health of f.he people of London, who consumed all the Lambeth erop. On top of thls it was announced that bread was pos ilvely dangerous unless baked at a ten.perature of 100 deg. centigrade. As no one could be positive that this particular degree of heat was employed In the brand which he consumed, all bread was looked upon with suspicion. To add to this burden of uncertainty, bacteriologists uttered a note of warning aprainst the contaminating possibilities of the common house fly. It was clearly demnnstrated by these investigators, that, In default of any other explanation, the fly must be held responsible for the spread of disease. There is at least one advantage in the acute interest of people tn the bacillic theory, and that is the closer attention which is now given to care in the preparatlon of food. This is ven much in evidenee in the kitchens of hotels. There are many of these in New York, where every person who has anything to do with the cooking, preparing or serving of aliments is required before he enters the kitchen to wash his hands thoroughly with antiseptlc toua] and to dry them on a separat towel Care is taken that this process :all be repeatei at intervals durinK t ilay clean fowels being provided f . each ablutid i.