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As the western states of America were settled, pioneers often had to drink rancid water from ponds and other sources. This often resulted in chronic diarrhea, causing many cases of dehydration and death that could have been avoided if clean water had been available.
In the ancient and medieval periods, dysentery killed about ? of all babies before they reach 12 months of age. The disease was transferred through contaminated drinking water, because there was no way to adequately dispose of sewage, which contaminated the water.
Throughout history, plants containing cardiac steroids have been used as heart drugs and as poisons (e.g., in arrows used in combat), emetics, and diuretics.
The average human gut is home to perhaps 500 to 1,000 different species of bacteria.
The calories found in one piece of cherry cheesecake could light a 60-watt light bulb for 1.5 hours.
![Massive amounts of wood are stored on the forest floor of old-growth temperate coniferous forests of](https://biology-forums.com/gallery/47/medium_33_28_08_11_12_01_59_1551376.jpeg)
![Where mangrove diversity is high, mangrove species show clear patterns of vertical zonation relative](https://biology-forums.com/gallery/47/medium_33_28_08_11_12_17_16_16021832.jpeg)