A lending library of communicable diseases

SIR – At one time there was a notice in library books saying that any that had had contact with an infectious disease, such as scarlet fever or measles (Letters, October 8), must be reported on return. These books were removed from circulation and fumigated.

Fay Davies

Barnet, Hertfordshire

SIR – Big carriers of germs are the handrails on escalators that are found in shops, stations and airports. That is why hand washing is de rigueur when we arrive at any destination.

John Tilsiter

Radlett, Hertfordshire

SIR – My hands are the most amazing and useful part of my body. In the course of a fairly long life they have nurtured small babies, nursed the elderly, cleared up blood (and worse), cultivated the garden, handled pets and other animals, accessed public buildings and transport systems, and touched computers, ticket machines and cash from all over the world.

It is impossible to prevent my hands from contacting outside contaminants, and they are designed to deal with them. They are covered in the most protective organ in my body – skin – which constantly renews itself.

However, before handling food, carrying out first aid, or dealing with other personal matters I always wash my hands and, in extreme cases, wear protective gloves.

Hygiene is, of course, vital but – like most good things – should not be carried to excess.

Sally Gibbons

London SW19

SIR – Our four children spent much of their childhood with ponies and horses in our stables: life-threatening germs were in abundance.

None of them developed allergies and none has been seriously ill.

Within reason, the more you protect people the more you destroy their immune systems.

Tom Benyon

Bladon, Oxfordshire