The Bacteria of Consumption 89 



not only to others, but may cause a fresh 

 infection of the patient himself. 



Bacteria never rise from thoroughly moist 

 surfaces. One might spread a thick layer 

 of living bacteria of any kind, no matter how 

 infectious, over an exposed surface, and, 

 provided it was kept thoroughly moist, might 

 breathe with impunity the air sweeping in 

 strong currents over it, because the germs 

 always cling most tenaciously to such sur- 

 faces. Of course a current of air strong 

 enough to sweep the particles of fluid bodily 

 off from their position would be efficient in 

 spreading the infectious material. The im- 

 portant point which this statement emphasizes 

 is that the breath of tubercular persons 

 is not infectious; the air itself passing over 

 the moist surfaces of the respiratory passages 

 and the mouth carries no germs. The act 

 of kissing, however, might lend itself most 

 efficiently to the transmission of the living 

 bacilli. 



So also they may be conveyed through the 

 use of uncleansed eating utensils, dishes, hand- 

 kerchiefs, towels, etc., used by a consumptive. 



