title: A tribute to toilet paper.
abstract: In modern use, toilet paper would seem to play an important role as a barrier to the transmission of enteric infection by the fecal-manual-oral route. A historical review reveals a dearth of information on this topic. The remarkable compliance with the hygienic practice of toilet paper use is in contrast to the more limited compliance with hand-washing policies touted universally as a sound infection-control measure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38101.
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D010209:Paper; D014038:Toilet Facilities / Q000266:history*