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Ancient Nubians had low typhus despite living in a typhus area. Their skeletons show tetracycline deposits. The bacterium producing tetracycline flourished on grain used for beer and bread. Thus tetracycline in food probably explains low typhus incidence. Which assumption is required? I. Other diseases unaffected by tetracycline. II. Tetracycline not rendered ineffective by bread/beer making process. III. Typhus not transmitted by ingesting contaminated bread/beer. IV. Bread/beer were the only dietary sources of tetracycline. V. Typhus is generally fatal.

1. Only II follows
2. Only III & V follow
3. Only III follows
4. Only II, III, IV and V follow

Correct answer: Only II follows

Solution

The argument: tetracycline in bread/beer → low typhus. For this to hold, tetracycline must remain effective after the bread/beer making process (II is a necessary assumption). I (other diseases) is irrelevant. III (typhus not spread via food) is not needed. IV (only source) strengthens but isn't assumed. V (fatality) is irrelevant to incidence.

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