That point on night soil makes a lot of sense. Note that point about thick-skinned fruits and vegetables being seen as safe, in the grandparent post. I'm also

That point on night soil makes a lot of sense. Note that point about thick-skinned fruits and vegetables being seen as safe, in the grandparent post. I'm also reminded of how the Chinese traditionally regarded cold drinks as dangerous. They didn't even drink wine without heating it -- and certainly would never drink cold water, or tea that had been steeped without being brought to a boil (and, I think, held there).