20 Things You Didn't Know About Hygeine...

Scarlett
By Scarlett

20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Hygiene

By Liza Lentini and David Mouzon
Provided by Discover magazine

1. Hygiene comes from the name "Hygieia," the Greek goddess of health, cleanliness and ... the Moon. Ancient Greek gods apparently worked double shifts.

2. The human body is home to some 1,000 species of bacteria. There are more germs on your body than people in the United States.

3. Not tonight dear, I just washed my hands: Anti-bacterial soap is no more effective at preventing infection than regular soap, and triclosan (the active ingredient) can mess with your sex hormones.

4. Save the germs! A study of over 11,000 children determined that an overly hygienic environment increases the risk of eczema and asthma.

5. Monks of the Jain Dharma (a minority religion in India) are forbidden to bathe any part of their bodies besides the hands and feet, believing the act of bathing might jeopardize the lives of millions of microorganisms.

6. It's a good thing they're monks.

7. Soap gets its name from the mythological Mount Sapo. According to legend, fat and wood ash from animal sacrifices there washed into the Tiber River, creating a rudimentary cleaning agent that aided women doing their washing.

8. Ancient Egyptians and Aztecs rubbed urine on their skin to treat cuts and burns. Urea, a key chemical in urine, is known to kill fungi and bacteria.

9. In a small victory for cleanliness, England's medieval king Henry IV required his knights to bathe at least once in their lives -- during their ritual knighthood ceremonies.

10. That's their excuse, anyway: Excrement dumped out of windows into the streets in 18th-century London contaminated the city's water supply and forced locals to drink gin instead.

11. A seventh grader in Florida recently won her school science fair by proving there are more bacteria in ice machines at fast-food restaurants than in toilet-bowl water.

12. There's no "five-second rule" when it comes to dropping food on the ground. Bacteria need no time at all to contaminate food.

13. The first true toothbrush, consisting of Siberian pig-hair bristles wired into carved cattle-bone handles, was invented in China in 1498. But tooth brushing didn't become routine in the United States until it was enforced on soldiers during World War II.

14. Please don't squeeze the corncob. In 1935, Northern Tissue proudly introduced "splinter-free" toilet paper. Previous toilet paper options included tundra moss for Eskimos, a sponge with salt water for Romans, and -- hopefully splinter-free -- corncobs in the American West.

15. NASA recently spent $23.4 million designing a space-shuttle toilet that would defy zero gravity with suction technology at 850 liters of airflow per minute. That's a lot of money for a toilet that sucks.

16. In 1843, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. campaigned for basic sanitation in hospitals. But this clashed with social ideas of the time and met with widespread disdain. Charles Meigs, a prominent American obstetrician, retorted, "Doctors are gentlemen, and gentlemen's hands are clean."

17. Up to a quarter of all women giving birth in European and American hospitals in the 17th through 19th centuries died of puerperal fever, an infection spread by unhygienic nurses and doctors.

18. TV kills! University of Arizona researchers determined that television remotes are the worst carriers of bacteria in hospital rooms, worse even than toilet handles. Remotes spread antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus, which contributes to the 90,000 annual deaths from infection acquired in hospitals.

19. It is now believed President James Garfield died not from the bullet fired by Charles Guiteau but because the medical team treated the president with manure-stained hands, causing a severe infection that killed him three months later.

20. What on earth made them think manure-stained hands were remotely acceptable to treat anyone?

By habibidak• 5 Jan 2009 08:59
habibidak

start saving all kind of bacteria...no need nebu

# 8 use to wiped in it to the eyes to cured soreyes, is it? eeerrrrwwwkkk

Malley & GT morning guys...

"Build bridges instead of walls and you will find a friend..."

By Scarlett• 5 Jan 2009 08:25
Rating: 4/5
Scarlett

before you can spread ANYTHING over jelly fish stings, you have to neutralize the poison that was injected...ammonia is the one thing that will do that very quickly. Which is why urine, which is mostly ammonia, works so well. Just about any scuba diving first aid kit will contain a small vial of ammonia just for that purpose.

As far as Man of War jellies...ooo yeah..we get those in certain times of the year en masse, on the Texas coast. You can drive your car along and hear them all popping under your tires...Bad thing about those is the tentacles are sooooooooooo long that the jelly body can be far up on the beach and the tentacles can still be in the water or elsewhere in the sand and still be active even tho the jelly is long dead.

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

By anonymous• 4 Jan 2009 00:29
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

The best recipe to remove sea urchins needles is to pour hot candle wax, after is cold, just peel the cold wax and those broken urchins needles will come out.

For jelly fish stings is best to spread lots of cold water and aloe vera gel over the affected areas, so the jelly fish chemicals are dissipated.

I learn this from some old fisherman's in my town.

If you could find calamine liquid lotion, it works like a charm for jelly fish stings.

Some Jelly fish species have stingers and are loaded with poison that could affect your heart beats and nervous system. Those are the worst kind, example: Man of war jelly fish has a reputation of deadly encounters.

By greentea• 3 Jan 2009 20:46
Rating: 4/5
greentea

"Monks of the Jain Dharma (a minority religion in India) are forbidden to bathe any part of their bodies besides the hands and feet, believing the act of bathing might jeopardize the lives of millions of microorganisms."

hmmmmmm... or so i thought it's only cows... holy cows! even the minutest microorganism?

By GodFather.• 3 Jan 2009 20:27
GodFather.

Thanks lovinni...will remember that..

-----------------

HE WHO DARES WINS

By DaRuDe• 3 Jan 2009 20:27
DaRuDe

ok fine will do :?

By lovinni• 3 Jan 2009 20:25
Rating: 3/5
lovinni

when you get stung by a sea urchin...fresh urine is the medication!

I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it.  ~Charles Schulz

By DaRuDe• 3 Jan 2009 20:16
DaRuDe

i cant read all that am already sleepy and reading all that i will pass out in no time.

By ngourlay• 3 Jan 2009 20:10
ngourlay

Depends on how clean your floor is. See this article:

http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news2467.html

By DaRuDe• 3 Jan 2009 20:08
DaRuDe

who will read all that.

By mallrat• 3 Jan 2009 19:04
mallrat

.4. Save the germs! A study of over 11,000 children determined that an overly hygienic environment increases the risk of eczema and asthma.

-really?????/

-so shocking...??????

.

-gotta start saving germs from now on....

.

By Scarlett• 3 Jan 2009 19:01
Scarlett

tell you what...when I taught school, the little kids who were NEVER sick, were the ones who lived in the filthiest homes..Guess it was that protective layer of dirt that kept the germs out!!

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

By Dracula• 3 Jan 2009 19:00
Rating: 5/5
Dracula

It has been known for thousands of years that silver can be an effective anti-vampire agent.

Silver is capable of killing single brain celled suckers such as Dracula, Nosferatu', Alucard and their evil wifes.

Due to the way that silver acts on these bloodsuckers they do not become immune to silver as they do with antibiotics, cross, garlic and priests which actually poison the cell.

As well as killing the bloodsuckers, modern science has also found that silver seems to increase healing effects on plants and animals if applied to wounds or sores.

Buy silver!

By Scarlett• 3 Jan 2009 19:00
Rating: 3/5
Scarlett

urine is a very "clean" liquid..as its been filtered many many times as it goes through the system. The reason people end up with urinary tract infections is when dirt or bacteria is allowed to enter, thus infecting the bladder, or "holding tank" so to speak.

Feces, however is a waste byproduct and NOT filtered...

Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.

By flanostu• 3 Jan 2009 18:56
flanostu

double post

By flanostu• 3 Jan 2009 18:55
Rating: 3/5
flanostu

they should modernise this and tell ppl toilet seats are for sitting on, not squatting.

unsure what's worse, footprints on the toilet seat or skid marks in the bowl.

By GodFather.• 3 Jan 2009 18:51
Rating: 3/5
GodFather.

Thanks Scarly that confirms that a bit of dirt or may be a lot of dirt is good for your imune system..

-----------------

HE WHO DARES WINS

By baldrick2dogs• 3 Jan 2009 18:45
baldrick2dogs

Item 20 ... refer to item 8!

They were obviously confused!

Did you Google it first?

Log in or register to post comments

More from Qatar Living

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Let's dive into the best beaches in Qatar, where you can have a blast with water activities, sports and all around fun times.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

This guide brings you the top apps that will simplify the use of government services in Qatar.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

this guide presents the top must-have Qatar-based apps to help you navigate, dine, explore, access government services, and more in the country.
Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

Stuck with a week-long holiday and bored kids? We've got a one week activity plan for fun, learning, and lasting memories.
Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in  high-end elegance

Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in high-end elegance

Delve into a world of culinary luxury as we explore the upmarket hotels and fine dining restaurants serving exquisite Mango Sticky Rice.
Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.