NATURE OF DISEASE AND OF ITS CURE 63 



case of the presence of bacteria, they are at once detected by this bodily 

 consciousness, though the higher consciousness is unaware of their pres- 

 ence. The agencies within the blood, capable of destroying the germs 

 and of neutralizing their poisons, are set to work at high pressure. To 

 the higher consciousness and to the observing mind of another person 

 these efforts become apparent in higher bodily temperature (fever), a 

 more rapid pulse and increased respiration. The bodily machinery is 

 stirred to higher activity, its fires are heightened, and its organs are 

 quickened. Germ-destroying substances are being made in greatest 

 possible amount. The " signs and symptoms " of the disease, or these 

 outward manifestations of internal activity, differ with the kind of 

 germs and with their numbers, the body working more or less character- 

 istically in each case, so that for each germ the " symptoms and signs " 

 are an index to the cause. 



Such a disease or body-fight must " run its course," and, no matter 

 what the treatment, that course can at best only be shortened, or the 

 struggle of the body with its enemy made less exhausting by help from 

 without. Where the number of bacteria is large or especially vicious, 

 or where the bodily powers are inadequate for promptly developing its 

 resisting powers, the fight of the body may be of no avail, even with the 

 most skillful aid. On the other hand, if the bacteria are few and the 

 bodily powers are vigorous, the patient will recover even with the most 

 absurd treatment. It is easy to see why the medicine man of primitive 

 society and the miracle workers of a later age often succeeded in 

 " driving out " disease and in effecting apparently marvelous cures. 



After once having an infectious disease, such as typhoid, or measles, 

 the body is often exempt from an attack by the same germ. We now 

 know it is not because of special divine favor bestowed upon the indi- 

 vidual, but because the body, after passing through one struggle with 

 the bacteria, keeps on hand afterwards a defensive material which 

 quickly destroys any germs of the same kind which find an entrance. 



Even in times of epidemics and among those associated with the sick, 

 a certain number of persons always escape without serious signs of the 

 prevailing disease. While the germs no doubt often attack such per- 

 sons, their protective powers are so perfect that the machinery of the 

 body does not have to be put at work in such a degree as to produce any 

 conscious outward signs of the disease. 



For some of these bacterial invasions modern medicine has invented 

 the wonderful expedient of producing, in other animals, similar sub- 

 stances to those which the human body manufactures in its fight against 

 the germs. By inoculating these into the human body the microbes 

 can be prevented from gaining a lodgment, or the body can be greatly 

 aided in its fight against them. Although the body can be thus 

 aided in diphtheria and meningitis, for the attacks of most germs it 



