11. SPRAYS AND GARGLES.—Sprays and gargles do not protect the nose and
throat from infection, for the following reasons:
(a) So far as the knowledge of the committee extends, no germicide
strong enough to destroy infective organisms can be applied to the
nose and throat without at the same time injuring the mucous
membranes.
(b) Irrigation of the nose and throat to accomplish the complete
mechanical removal of the infective organism is impracticable.
(c) Their use tends to remove the protective mucus, to spread the
infection and to increase the liability of actual entrance of the
infective organisms.
(d) Their domestic use is liable to lead in families to a common
employment of the same utensils.
(e) The futility of sprays and gargles has been demonstrated with
respect to certain known organisms such as the diphtheria bacillus and
the meningococcus.