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["Doc Lisenby" <longdistshtr@shtc.net>]

Tanis mentioning about us washing our hands reminded me that as a one-time 
health inspector, I collected under-finger-nail scrapings as an experiment 
conducted on individuals who prepared fast foods and who ostensibly observed 
the required hand washing/toilet use requirements.  The scrapings were 
cultured, my report was forwarded along with a recommendation to require 
fingernails be trimmed to less than a certain length.  To sum up the 
findings, I reached the conclusion that cursorily washing hands is so 
ineffective as sanitary prophylaxis that unless the nails are trimmed, 
scrubbed and washed with un-contaminated soap, it is an exercise in 
futility.  Any hand washing is better among food handlers than not washing 
them but a more satisfactory choice would be that they be required to wear 
clean gloves of an impermeable material.  I'd suggest if you are going to 
wash your hands as a ritual, that you also keep your fingernails trimmed to 
less than about 1/16th of an inch and use a surgeon's brush at each washing. 
A periodic dip of the nails in a mild bleach solution should enhance the 
cleansing regimen efficacy.
Doc Lisenby