Reminders From a Medical Doctor

Water is essential to life, but contaminated water can be a source of sickness and death.
Dr J. Mbangue Lobe, chief of the medical department at the port of Douala, Cameroon, offered some practical pointers in an interview.

" Boil your drinking water when in doubt."
But he warned: " The use of bleach or other chemicals are all right but may be hazardous if not handled properly.
Always wash your hands with soap and water before a meal and after useing the toilet.
A bar of soap does not cost a fortune, so even poor people can afford it.
Wash your hands often, useing hot water if you have skin problems or diseases."

" Good hygiene in and around the house must be observed by all members of the family," continued the doctor.
" Toilets and outhouses are often neglected and automatically become a haven for roaches and flies."

Adding one important observation concerning children, he cautioned: " Beware of bathing in thoses small creeks in your neighborhood.
They are full of dangerous microbes.
Wash nightly at home before going to bed, brush your teeth well at night, and sleep under a mosquito net."
The general idea behind all these remarks is to think ahead, take action and avoid trouble.