Did you see that extraordinary TV report about the pig that can't stand getting its feet dirty? In case you missed it, check this out...
www.pighealth.com/offers/welfare.htm

Mysophobia refers to a pathological fear of contact with dirt, contamination or "germs" (also known as "germophobia"  - I kid you not!). The affected person is termed a "mysophobe" (not to be confused with "mysogynist", which is something quite different!).

 The word is said to have been introduced by William Hammond in 1879 when describing a case of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in which there was repeated washing of the hands.

Famous mysophobes include Cameron Diaz and the billionnnaire recluse Howard Hughes.

In a country ravaged by repeated outbreaks of epidemic diseases in recent decades is there a danger of us all becoming mysophobes?

As a retired vet I know that Hygiene, drying, sunlight and "quarantine of bought-in stock" are the most potent germicides - with a bit of steam-cleaning thrown in for indoor-housed livestock. Are the disinfectant companies (Defra too?) turning us all into mysophobes?

As Winston Churchill famously stated "A pig treats you as an equal".

Food for thought?

Mike