Don Kozlowski, age 11, of Rochester, New York, for his question:

What really causes warts?

For generations, people insisted that toads cause warts when touched by a human hand. No doubt it was assumed that his bumpy warts are catching. This, of course, is rather flimsy evidence and scientists have tried several times to discredit it. Their experiments find no evidence whatever that people catch warts from toads or frogs. Hence, it seemed wise to search elsewhere.

Several investigations suggest that these warty growths are caused by certain viruses that become embedded in the upper layer of the skin. The infection creates that bumpy wad of fibrous tissue. If the area is not bruised or torn,in_ time the wart usually falls out of its own accord. During its lifetime, it is wise to protect the bump with a bandage. If it lives longer than a few weeks, please take it to a doctor who will prescribe treatment to remove it in a few days. There is some slight evidence that humans can catch warts from humans, which is another good reason for the bandage.