COMMUNICABLE DISEASES 



395 



There are many other tests to demonstrate the presence in the 

 human organism of syphilis; as the chloride of gold test which within 

 recent years has gained much favor among clinicians; the gum mastic 

 test is considered excellent in the hands of some workers; etc. For a 

 time laboratory workers recommended a microanalytical method for 

 the demonstration of syphilis but it never met with favor. 



There are many other communicable diseases as measles, mumps, 

 scarlet fever, and whooping cough, besides the diseases due to the attacks 

 of higher parasites, as itch, trichinosis, tapeworm, roundworm, liver flukes, 

 hookworm, etc., which we will, however, not discuss more fully. The 

 suggestions given under the diseases described will also apply, in a measure 

 to other communicable diseases. Summed up briefly, preventive medicine 

 direct and indirect, consists of giving heed to the following. 



j. Living in accord with the most approved methods of hygiene. This 

 is direct preventive medicine. 



2. Treating disease in accord with the most approved modern methods. 

 This is indirect preventive medicine because it protects the well against 

 infection from the sick. 



The following table of communicable diseases giving the average 

 period of incubation (also known as latent period), the primary cause, 

 nature of communicability and principle carriers or sources of infection, 

 will be found useful. 



