Filipino government warns about hygiene
Health officials in the Philippines have issued a warning to people taking part in http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=3429 crucifixion rituals.
They have urged them to get tetanus vaccinations before they flagellate themselves and are nailed to crosses, and to practise good hygiene.
On Good Friday dozens of very devout Catholics in the http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=1394 re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
It is something that has become a huge tourist attraction, although the Church http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=3417 on the practice.
The health department has strongly advised penitents to check the condition of the whips they plan to use to lash their backs, the Manila Times newspaper reports.
They want people to have what they call “well-maintained” whips.In the hot and dusty atmosphere, officials warn, using unhygienic whips to make deep cuts in the body could lead to tetanus and other infections.
And they advise that the nails used to fix people to crosses must be properly disinfected first.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7305522.stm