however, if the citizens insisted that the streets be kept watered, especially when they are swept. Street sweeping and the removal of garbage should be done as far as possible at night.

25. Treatment of cuts. A vast amount of discomfort and possible danger from bacterial infection in the body would be avoided if people but used proper care in the treatment of wounds. We have seen that white corpuscles resemble amœbæ in their structure and activities (7).

us now study their functions

FIG. 12. White corpuscles.

Let

in the human body. When one gets a sliver of wood in one's finger and leaves it there for a time, the finger becomes more or less swollen and sore, and white" matter" or pus usually forms in the region of the wound. These effects are principally due to the activity of bacteria, which were carried into the wound on the piece of wood. Finding in the tissues all the favorable conditions for growth, these minute organisms multiply rapidly and produce poisons called toxins, that cause the inflammation.

a = a white corpuscle devouring a bac-
terium.
b=a white corpuscle destroyed by bac-
teria.

As soon however, as these inflammatory processes begin, large numbers of white corpuscles are hurried to the spot and proceed to attack the invading bacteria. If the number of germs is relatively small, and if the corpuscles are in a healthy condition, these cells of the blood seize upon and devour the bacteria (Fig. 12) in the same way that an amoeba takes in its food. Under these conditions little if any

pus is formed. But if the bacteria get the upper hand in the struggle, many of the corpuscles are killed, and it is the

Born 1843. Died 1910.

dead white corpuscles that form the pus.

In case of a cut the wound should be cleansed as quickly as possible with peroxid of hydrogen or some other germdestroying solution, and should then be covered with absorbent cotton soaked in the peroxid solution and bandaged, to prevent the entrance of other germs. If this is not done, bacteria are likely to settle in

(From International Encyclopedia. Courtesy of Dodd, the wound, and

Mead & Co.).

healing may be

delayed or even more serious results may follow. With proper treatment a wound should show no signs of inflammation, or formation of pus, and should heal rapidly.

one

26. The cause of tuberculosis. - It is said that seventh of all the deaths in the world are due to the disease

tuberculosis, which is more commonly known as consumption. In New York City alone the Board of Health reports 300 to 400 new cases every week. Yet if the general public only knew the manner in which this disease is transmitted and would make use of this knowledge, the dreadful sacrifice of life and health due to this "great white plague" could be almost wholly prevented.

It was conclusively proved in 1882 by Dr. Koch, a noted German scientist (Fig. 13), that tuberculosis is always caused by extremely small, rod-shaped bacteria, bacillus tuberculosis (Fig. 14). He found countless numbers of these living germs in the sputum coughed up by consumptive patients; he cultivated these germs in test tubes and when he injected the bacteria into the bodies of guinea pigs or rabbits, the animals became ill with tuberculosis. By many experiments of this sort, biologists have learned important facts in regard to the cause, prevention, and cure of disease.

We are absolutely sure then, that before any one

FIG. 14. Tuberculosis bacteria in human sputum. (Courtesy of Dr. Thomas S. Carrington.)

can become a consumptive, he must take into his body the living bacteria of consumption, and the most common avenue of infection is through the nose and air passages. Consumptives who are ignorant of the danger they are causing, frequently expectorate on the floors of rooms or of public conveyances, and when this sputum becomes dried, the germs are likely to be blown about in the air, and to be inhaled by

other people. When the bacteria get into the lungs of a person who happens to be a little run down," as we say, straightway the bacteria begin to multiply, feeding meanwhile on the lung tissues; for this reason the disease is called consumption, and if it is not arrested, the lungs may be almost destroyed, and death, of course, results. During the progress of the disease, little masses or tubercles of lung tissue (whence the name tuberculosis) are thrown off by the patient in coughing, and these, as we have already stated, are swarming with living bacteria.

27. The prevention of tuberculosis. It is of the utmost importance, therefore, that these living germs be kept out of the bodies of people who come in contact with consumptives. Responsibility in this matter rests very largely upon the patients themselves, and if they exercise the necessary care, they need not become a menace to healthy people in the home or in the community. It is of course essential that every effort be made to stop altogether the dirty and dangerous habit of spitting. Many people have the disease long before they are aware of it, and a general public sentiment should be developed that will actively assist boards of health in enforcing their rules against the "spitting nuisance." Every consumptive should provide himself with paper cups or cloths that may be burned, together with their contents.

Tuberculous patients should exercise care not to cough or sneeze without covering the mouth or nose with a handkerchief, for it has been proved that living germs are widely distributed by carelessness in this regard. Separate knives, forks, spoons, and drinking vessels, which ought to be cleaned in boiling water, should be set apart for consumptives. Kissing the lips of consumptives should never be permitted.

28. The cure of tuberculosis. In former years the decision by doctors that a patient had tuberculosis was be

lieved to be a sentence to a lingering death; it was believed also that the disease was hereditary. Happily modern medicine has dispelled both these beliefs. A child may inherit weak lungs or a frail body; but it will never be a

A. Tent open.

B. Tent closed. FIG. 15.- Window tent. (Courtesy of Dr. Thomas S. Carrington.) consumptive unless the bacteria that cause this disease are in some way planted in his tissues. Consumption, too, is a curable disease, unless it is neglected until it has reached an advanced stage. The prime requisites in the treatment of the disease are a plentiful supply of fresh air, plenty of easily

Ꭰ