- The ARC - California Edition -

The Hands -- Wash Your Hands

In the February issue, I included a prevention article written in French and entitled “Les Mains Propres”. I pleaded for assistance in translating what appeared to an important message which I had obtained from my Belgium cousin. The first translation I received was from Susanne Behrend who lives in Rolandia, Brazil. Here is what she says.

The Clean Hands

The big responsibilities for spreading infectious diseases are the hands. The hands collect, transport germs. And the hands contaminate. Only frequent washing and drying correctly permits to avoid infections. Elementary, isn’t it?

Just the same, an examination made by Professor Ducel in Geneva in the hygienic laboratory of the hospital indicates, that only 52% of the staff are using the instructions to wash their hands. The school is also adjusted on its saddle.

In Belgium, there is an average of 1.5 sanitary equipments and 6 toilets for 100 pupils. Certain schools don’t even have the hygienic equipment of toilets.

As the good customs don’t attend by the number of years, it is not redundant to repeat to the young ones that one washes the hands after having finished some work, before going to eat, and after leaving the toilet.

Susanne Behrend continued with this comment. "I was rather astonished to read that in Switzerland and Belgium they don’t automatically wash their hands (after using the toilet). Even in a country like my beloved Brazil (considered a developing one), we teach our disabled children to wash their hands after leaving the bathroom."