Mind-boosting bacteria in garden?

A friend of mine posted this article on facebook....I can't say as I've read anything about this, but thought you might find it interesting:
http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/mood-boosting-bacteria-found-dirt-213800904.html

That is Very Interesting.
"Smelling" compost and soil is good for us Love It!

I've got the winter blues and cabin fever and I want to play in the dirt!

But it looks like we should be aware of the other side of compost and soil too. From the Complete Compost Gardening Guide:

If you are forking through moldy hay or materials that includes dusty white patches - a dust mask will help from contracting farmers lung. It has been recognized in medical literature the past 300 years, and is similar to a pneumonia-like illness.

If in contact with large amounts of dried bird droppings, the use of a dust mask will prevent contracting histoplasmosis, a yeastlike fungal respiratory infection. Normal immune systems can fight off casual contact though. Personal Note: I knew of a person who contracted this from having a pond with a large goose population. Treatable yes, but took weeks to feel better.

Paronychia is an infection around the nails, painful and preventable with clean, dry gloves.

The beneficial bacteria and fungi present in compost and soils provide nutrients, beneficial life forms, and enhance plant resistance to pests and diseases.

Hope this is didn't scare anyone. It is meant to be educational.
A tetanus shot is something to think about too.

its good to know both sides. the good and bad things in dirt. good read

Thanks for all that good info LM! Forewarned is forearmed!
I have not read that particular book, but here is a link to their website, in case other folks are interested.
Compost Gardening

llama momma wrote:But it looks like we should be aware of the other side of compost and soil too. From the Complete Compost Gardening Guide:

If you are forking through moldy hay or materials that includes dusty white patches - a dust mask will help from contracting farmers lung. It has been recognized in medical literature the past 300 years, and is similar to a pneumonia-like illness.

If in contact with large amounts of dried bird droppings, the use of a dust mask will prevent contracting histoplasmosis, a yeastlike fungal respiratory infection. Normal immune systems can fight off casual contact though. Personal Note: I knew of a person who contracted this from having a pond with a large goose population. Treatable yes, but took weeks to feel better.

Paronychia is an infection around the nails, painful and preventable with clean, dry gloves.

The beneficial bacteria and fungi present in compost and soils provide nutrients, beneficial life forms, and enhance plant resistance to pests and diseases.

Hope this is didn't scare anyone. It is meant to be educational.
A tetanus shot is something to think about too.

I knew about the farmers lung, but the Paronychia, and Histoplasmosis are news to me. Thanks for the heads up!

Thanks for the nice comments everyone.

Along the same lines, there's a movement afoot called "Earthing" which encourages physical contact with soil. It's based on the electromagnetic properties of soil, but does discuss the natural bacteria in soil as well.

In NM's rural areas, we have to be concerned about contracting the Hantavirus that's spread through deer mouse droppings, urine, and saliva.

Recent advice from the hospital treating me
If you have diabetes type 1 or 2 ot any other liver /kidney / blood affecting probs wear rubber gloves or decent leather gloves when playing with the bacterially live compost & soil .

plantoid wrote:Recent advice from the hospital treating me
If you have diabetes type 1 or 2 ot any other liver /kidney / blood affecting probs wear rubber gloves or decent leather gloves when playing with the bacterially live compost & soil .

Thank you for the tip a good one

Mamachibi
I never heard of Earthing until you mentioned it. Found several interesting articles online. Are you doing this? What do you think of it?

Luci
I never thought much about hantavirus, apparently campers are also susceptible when putting sleeping bags on the ground or on the floor of old musty cabins. This gives me another reason to appreciate my barn cats. Use to feel a little bad when I'd see them with their mouse kill. Not so much anymore.

Plantoid
I certainly agree caution would be very smart for anyone whose immunity is compromised.

I have read about it, but only practice unintentional Earthing when I'm gardening. I've always gardened barefoot unless I'm working with a hoe (which SFG eliminated) or a lawnmower (which SFG reduced). I'm considering getting a foot pad for hubby who NEVER goes without shoes, even at home.