If a person would hold a handkerchief before his mouth when he coughs or sneezes, these droplets of moisture would not be sprayed into the air, and the disease germs in them would not be scattered about. You ask, "Shall everyone who is sick hold a handkerchief before the mouth when sneezing or coughing?" Everyone, whether sick or well, ought to hold a handkerchief before the mouth when sneezing or coughing. Learn to do this at once, and never forget it.
(2) When spitting
Another way by which disease germs get into the air is from the sputum. People spit on the floor or the sidewalk, and the sputum becomes dried; it is then blown about as dust. The germs of disease are not killed by drying, and when they get into our bodies with the dust which we breathe in, they immediately begin to grow. Disease germs get into the air chiefly through careless habits of coughing, sneezing, and spitting, and these careless habits can easily be prevented.
Why well people should not spit on floor or sidewalk
A boy once said that if he saw a consumptive spit on the sidewalk, he would want to hit him, and to emphasize his remarks he spat on the floor of the room, just as you have seen boys spit on the ground when they were thinking of fighting. There might have been some germs of consumption in the sputum this boy left on the floor. Of course he was very positive that he did not have consumption, but this was no proof that his sputum was free from the germs of this disease.
Remember that it is not only the sick who should never spit on the floor or sidewalk, but that no person should ever spit on any floor or sidewalk, or into any place except into a cuspidor, handkerchief, or spit-cup of some kind. If you spit into a handkerchief, a paper napkin, or a bit of cloth, be sure to burn it as soon as you can, before it becomes dry.
Questions. 1. In what places do we find germs most abundant in the air? 2. How do well-bred people avoid putting disease germs into the air? 3. Why is it important for well people to take the same precautions as sick people?
Remember. 1. Every person should hold a handkerchief before the face when coughing or sneezing. 2. Never spit except into a cuspidor, handkerchief, spit-cup, or other special receptacle. 3. If well people will practice clean habits, the sick will be helped and encouraged to follow their example. 4. Remember: No spit, no consumption.