140 



THE STORY OF GERM LIFE. 



terium as its cause. Recent study has shown, 

 however, that this is not wholly true. It is true 

 that some diseases do have such a definite rela- 

 tion to definite bacteria. The anthrax germ, for 

 example, will always produce anthrax, no matter 

 where or how it is inoculated into the body. So, 

 also, in quite a number of other cases distinct 

 specific bacteria are associated with distinct dis- 

 eases. But, on the other hand, there 'anPsome 

 pathogenic bacteria which are not so definite in 

 their action, and produce different results in ac- 

 cordance with circumstances, the effect varying 

 both with the organ attacked and with the condi- 

 tion of the individual. For instance, a consider- 

 able number of different types of blood poison- 

 ing, septiccemia, pyamia, gangrene, inflammation of 

 wounds, or formation of pus from slight skin 

 wounds indeed, a host of miscellaneous trou- 

 bles, ranging all the way from a slight pus forma- 

 tion to a violent and severe blood poisoning all 

 appear to be caused by bacteria, and it is impos- 

 sible to make out any definite species associated 

 with the different types of these troubles. There 

 are three common forms of so-called pus cocci, 

 and these are found almost indiscriminately with 

 various types of inflammatory troubles. More- 

 over, these species of bacteria are found with al- 

 most absolute constancy in and around the body, 

 even in health. They are on the clothing, on the 

 skin, in the mouth and alimentary canal. Here 

 they exist, commonly doing no harm. They have, 

 however, the power of doing injury if by chance 

 they get into wounds. But their power of doing 

 injury varies both with the condition of the indi- 

 vidual and with variations in the bacteria them- 

 selves. If the individual is in a good condition 



