Licking Adhesive Stamps and Envelopes.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 72, 24 August 1885, Page 4

Licking Adhesive Stamps and Envelopes.

This is a pprilon? pi'actice, against whioh the public needs to bp jmt on c itg guard. We have seen had consequences ensue from the habit, which is a very common one. Those who are frequently thus moistening the . gyim on adhesive surfaces suffer from looal irritation, sore tongues, and the Uike, while every wow and again we hear of special propagation of disease by the habit. A curious illustration of the way m which disease may be communicated was recently brought under our notice. An envelope received trom a perso-i who habitually took largi* quantities of morphia hypodprinioally was reclosed by the person who opened it by licking 1 the adhesive surface, with the result of making him violently sink. The mere touch of the tongue of the taker of had rendered the gam iut tensely nauseous. If this could happen, obviously there must be grave peril of the transmission of disease by such means. It is not likely tha.ti ■ many persons would even incident- ! ally ueclbse an envelope m this way ; | but. the incident may serve to showhow desirable it is not to run the risk of even taking m the irnjmutips of new adhesive matters from stamps 'and envelopes. It is very easy to, avoid the practice. The danger only needs to be pointed ou.t.— j^awce«.