Where Disease Germs comes from

The germs that cause disease do not originate from our bodies, they enter from without. They com from sick people or from sick animals. For example, a man who is sick with cholera has in the body the germs that cause cholera. When ever this man uses a dish some
of the cholera germs from his mouth and hands get on the dish, and if any other person uses the dish without first washing it in boiling water, he will be almost sure to swallow some of the cholera germs. The germs will multiply in his alimentary canal, and in a short time will produce enough poison to cause fever, diarrhea and all other symptoms of cholera. Another way in which germs may be spread from the man sick with cholera is through bowel discharges. The bowel discharges of a person who has cholera are full of cholera germs. If this faecal matter is thrown out into a pond or river, or thrown out on the ground near a well, the germs will continue to multiply; and those who use the water from the pond or river or from the well that is close by the place where the faeces were thrown, will take some of the cholera germs into their bodies, and these germs will soon reach the alimentary canal; and in a short time such persons also will have cholera.

   A serious potential public health problem is the carrier of germs. A carrier is one who has the germs of disease in his body but who himself is not afflicted by them. One man may have cholera, diphtheria, typhoid or amoeba. These people do not know that they are carriers. They constitute as great a health hazard as those who actually have the disease. Yes the are even a greatere hazard, because people who are well are careful to avoid contact with patients having a contagious disease, but they are unsuspecting about anyone who appears perfectly well and naturally take no precautions. This explains why epidemics sometimes mysteriously break out and no one knows how they started.