I just found some evidence why River Ganga could have been considered sacred and have healing power in the good olden days. It is due to viruses (called bacteriophages) which feed on bacteria! Ernest Hanbury Hankin reported the reported the first observation of phage activity in India in 1896. He noticed a marked anti-bacterial action in the waters of Indian rivers Ganga (Ganges) and Yamuna (Jumna) against Vibrio Cholorae. This activity destroyed cholera bacteria in culture. He demonstrated that it could pass through fine porcelain filters and was destroyed by boiling. He suggested that this activity might be responsible for restricting the cholera outbreak among the people that consumed the river water.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 11:09:04 +0000