Dangers of the Drinking-Cup
By D. H. Kress
A few weeks ago I observed on the train a man who appeared to be in the last stages of consumption; he had an open abscess in his throat; and, in spite of the notice, “Ten Dollars’ Fine for Spitting on the Floor,” was expectorating freely. After a time he went to the drinking-fountain, and took the cup between his lips to drink. Later two young children and a well-dressed, intelligent-looking woman went to the same fountain, and drank from the same cup. I do not know whether or not these cups are ever washed, but probably they are not. No doubt hundreds, perhaps thousands, of persons have drunk from this particular cup by this time. Could we have examined the rim of the cup which was transferred from the lips of this tubercular patient to the lips of the other passengers, we should, by the aid of the microscope, have discovered great numbers of bacteria of various kinds, among them, no doubt, the germs of tuberculosis. Drinking-cups in public schools have been found to contain as many as five million germs about that part of the rim likely to be touched by the lips in drinking. In one spot not larger than a pin’s head over one thousand have been discovered. By careful investigation it was found that thirty-seven per cent of the drinking-cups ordinarily used in public places have tubercle bacilli adhering to the rim. Unsuspected persons may convey these germs. Dr. Parks, of New York, found tubercular germs in the mouths of nine out of fifteen persons who were in apparent good health. These were all capable of communicating the germs to some one possessing less vital resistance. The examination of one hundred thousand schoolchildren in Chicago, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, and one hundred smaller places, would indicate that there are in the United States two million boys and girls with diseased and infected tonsils or enlarged and infected glands of the neck. The infection in all these cases no doubt took place through the mouth. By the study of over nine thousand convalescents by the Massachusetts and Minnesota State boards of health, and by seven other bacteriologists, it was found that diphtheria germs remain in the mouth or throat for more than a month after recovery has taken place. It has been estimated that probably half a million of the inhabitants of this country carry in the mouth or throat typical diphtheria bacilli. Germs of catarrh, of an ordinary cold, and of influenza, as well as a host of other bacteria, may be found in the mouth, nose, or throat of unsuspected persons. These bacteria do injury only in cases where an abrasion occurs to the mucous membrane by picking the nose, or where the tonsils and mucous membrane of the throat are inflamed and congested. Lowered vitality forms an open gateway for them to enter the tissues and the circulation. Decayed teeth not merely harbor and cultivate bacteria, but frequently entrance through them is gained by germs to the body. The glands of the neck usually become infected through these two avenues. More than three fourths of the tubercular subjects in the United States mingle with the public during the first half-year of their illness. Those having catarrh, colds, and influenza, and others recovering from more serious maladies, are constantly with us. None of these are debarred from using the common drinking-cup. Through one such cup a whole family, school, or community may become infected. No doubt many of the epidemic diseases, which were formerly thought to be due to mere contact, may be attributed to the common drinking-cup. In some States the common drinking-cup has been abolished. Any one going8from New York to Boston has no difficulty in determining when the State of Massachusetts is entered. As soon as the State line is crossed, the cups are gathered up, and the thirsty passenger has to quench his thirst as best he can. Many carry with them individual cups. Paper cups are sometimes furnished. In the absence of these, ordinary envelopes may be used. In case it is necessary to use an ordinary drinking-cup, do not place the lips on the rim, but put both lips into the water, placing the rim tightly against the skin below the lower lip. This is the safest way to drink, not merely out of the common drinking-cup, but also out of cups furnished at restaurants or soda-fountains. No cup is safe to drink out of unless it has been sterilized. By following the suggestion given above, however, many epidemics of colds and of influenza, as well as of more serious maladies, may be avoided.