ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS 



73 



Mudd (1924) suggests that perhaps an eleetrocapillaiy mech- 

 anism plays a role in the penetration of the epithelium by virulent 

 bacteria. That physiological factors of the host are of paramount 

 importance in infectious processes is evident from the fact that in 

 insulin deficiency, such as occurs in diabetes, a state of acidosis 

 mav occur and coincident with it the surface resistance against 



Fig-. 1. — Sagittal section of head to show spread of suppuration from infected 

 teeth ; and also location of retropharyngeal abscesses. (After Eisendrath, Sur- 

 gical Diagnosis, p. 128, by permission of W. B. Saunders Company.) 



SA, Subperiosteal abscess of upper jaw. lA, Subperiosteal abscess of lower 

 jaw. LA, Infection in submaxillary subcutaneous tissue. EA, Infection around 

 roots of bicuspid and molar teeth. RA, Retropharyngeal abscesses. 



"opportunists" is lowered as evidenced by the common occurrence 

 of sinus infection and skin infections (boils and carbuncles) in 

 these patients. Likewise frequent attacks of rhinitis are common 

 occurrences in patients suffering from tuberculosis or other 

 debilitating diseases. 



