Keep them out of your house, and especially chase them out of your kitchen and larder. Any bad smell in a house is a danger signal; find out its cause, and get rid of it.
(S.T.)
Be sure your drinking water is pure. If you are at all doubtful about it, boil it well—that is, for not less than fifteen minutes. Water cisterns should be often cleaned out. See that all drains, sinks, and closets are in good order. A very poisonous gas called sewer gas comes from bad drains, and typhoid, diphtheria, etc., are caused by drinking bad water and bad drainage. The gas does not come up if there is a "trap" full of water in the pipe; that is a curve in the pipe where water collects. Let water run down all sinks once or twice a day to rinse the pipes. To sum up, "Remember that nearly all the dangers to health in a house or room begin with a D, and these dangers or destroyers are:
- "Darkness.
- "Damp.
- "Dust.
- "Dirt.
- "Doubtful drinking water.
- "Defective drains."
Against these destroyers, which bring debility, disease and even death, the Scouts' defences are:
- "Sunlight.
- "Fresh air.
- "Cleanliness."
