zxcvbob wrote:

> If one's immune system is never challenged, it gets bored and starts
> *looking* for something to attack -- next thing you know, you got an
> autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
>
> Licking the spoon is a public service if you think about it...

I don't know about your rationale, but I agree with the general idea. I figure
that if you keep your hygiene standards too high you lose your ability to cope
with infections and end up getting sick. I was pretty healthy as a kid . When
I was about three my mother rushed me to the doctor because she caught me
drinking out of the ditch. The doctor said that if I was any indication of
what happens to kids who drink water out of ditches he was going to start
prescribing it.