Rapaire -

One credible theory is that the great polio epidemic was caused by the rapid growth in use of indoor plumbing. Prior to the "cleanliness" movement, constant exposure to the two nonparalytic polio strains kept most people immune to the (then rare) paralytic strain.

The published results of studies showing that immune-related illnesses (asthma, for one) is directly correlated to the absence of pets in the homes of children affected, during the early development of the the childrens' immune systems makes one question whether absolute sanitation is an unmixed blessing.

It still is a bit unpleasant to shake hands with someone with sticky fingers though.

John