[maica]

I just read a fascinating book on the discovery in London about 1850 of the transmission mode of cholera. The doctor/researcher who made the connection was not believed by the ‘majority’ for a number of years more. They thought it was transmitted by bad air.

The water supply at one public pump had been contaminated by the bugs from the “index” patient. He realized by mapping the cases that people using this particular pump seemed to be the great majority of those affected.

We have come a long way in sanitation measures since 1850, but we live such interconnected lives these days that we are back to putting ourselves very frequently in danger of catching a ‘bug’ from someone who handles the food we then eat.

[ClearCase_guy]

That cholera epidemic from 1850 is a classic case. You left out what I consider a wonderful detail -- Once the public pump had been identified, they still had to "prove" the idea. This was somewhat cutting edge medical theory and, as you point out, many people didn't believe it.

Well, the authorities unscrewed the handle from the public pump. That was it. That was the entire solution to the cholera epidemic.

And it worked.

And everybody said "Oooooooohhhhhhh. Now I see."

[Bigg Red]

We have come a long way in sanitation measures since 1850, but we live such interconnected lives these days that we are back to putting ourselves very frequently in danger of catching a ‘bug’ from someone who handles the food we then eat.

^^^
And I am often astounded by how cavalier people are about hygiene. I, myself, will not eat anything unless I can wash my hands first. If I attend an affair and people insist on shaking my hand, I make sure I get to the ladies’ room to wash my hand before I pick up any food with my right hand. But I notice that few people are as hyper about this as I am.