28 Kansas Academy of Science. 



death. Further mention will be made in a consideration of specific dis- 

 ease to follow later. 



In contending with diseases caused by germs several matters are of 

 prime importance. Among these are the discovery of the causal microbe, 

 its isolation, a study of its growth and physiological characteristics, its 

 distribution in nature, the modes of infection, and the means of immuni- 

 zation against it. The more completely these factors are known, the 

 more effectually we may control it. Truly marvelous results have been 

 accomplished. It should be noted here that "Peace hath her victories no 

 less renowned than those of War," and that these are often bought for 

 a price as in war. More than one person has risked and even lost his 

 life voluntarily in this line. The number of lower animals that have 

 been sacrificed is legion. 



The means of combating smallpox have long been knov^m. When ap- 

 plied the results have proved their efficiency. In Germany since 1874 

 all infants must be vaccinated during their first year, and again at the 

 age of twelve. Since that date long periods have passed vdthout any 

 deaths in the empire, and this with a constant introduction of the disease 

 from without. In the German army up until recently there have been 

 only two deaths from this disease since 1874, One of these was a re- 

 servist who had not been successfully vaccinated. Contrast this with 

 the following. It is estimated that fifteen million people died of small- 

 pox in twenty-five years in the eighteenth century, and that sixty 

 million people died during the whole century from that disease. It was 

 brought here from Europe about fifteen years after Columbus discovered 

 America. An authority estimates that six million Indians died as a 

 result out of a population of twelve million. In 1707, Iceland lost 36 

 per cent of its population from this disease. Its teeth have not been 

 pulled yet in all countries. Russia lost 275,502 in five years from 1893 

 to 1897. These figures are far more hopeful along bacteriological lines 

 than along sociological ones. 



Quite a similar story may be told of the awful disease, hydrophobia. 

 Through the knowledge of the use of an attenuated virus from the 

 spinal cord of the rabbit, Pasteur has given us an efficient method of 

 procedure after possible infection. The results of this treatment at the 

 Pasteur Institute in Paris from 1886 to 1914 range from .94 per cent 

 to .00 per cent of fatalities among the cases treated. There were no 

 deaths in the last 1098 cases. This contrasts favorably with the rate of 

 6.6 to 10, and sometimes 16.6 per cent among all persons bitten by rabid 

 animals (dogs). A remarkable illustration of preventive methods is 

 found in the case of Great Britain. Beginning with 1887, the muzzling 

 of dogs was made obligatory, with the following results: 217, 160, 

 312, 129, 79, 38 cases of hydrophobia. Then the muzzling was relaxed 

 out of sympathy for the dogs, and there followed: 1893, 93, 248, 672 

 cases. Then the law was again enforced. In 1896, 438 cases. Then 

 these: 151, 17, 9, 6, 1, 13; and none from 1903 until 1906, when this 

 record closed. 



The part the tonsils have to play in infection is much discussed. 

 Their relation to a form of rheumatism came under my observation in 



