Cave Germs

"I hope y'uns didn't drink no water while you was in there."
"Why's that?"
"Oh, law, that cave water can send you high-steppin', don't you know. It don't hit you right off, might take a while, but let them cave germs get t' workin', and first thing you know . . ." The old man shook his head, grinning.

*      *      *      *      *

She sat down suddenly in a kitchen chair.
"What is it? You're white as a bed sheet."
"I don't know. Oh, dear, oh, no!" She bounded from the chair and sprinted down theh all to the guest bathroom, clutching her stomach.

His own stomach gave a loud, empathetic gurgle, signaling what he recognized as a dire emergency.

"Cave germs!" he shouted, racing upstairs.

--These High Green Hills, Jan Karon

I have come to the conclusion that the Ocoee River water must funnel from a cave. Ugh.