Diphtheria and Tetanus 127 



many weeks or months alive in the mouths and 

 throats of those who have recovered from the 

 disease. They are also frequently found in the 

 mouths of well persons exposed to the disease, 

 as well as of those who are not known to have 

 associated with diphtheria patients. 



This is one of many reasons why we should 

 try to avoid exchanging mouth secretions 

 with others by avoiding the use of common 

 drinking vessels or towels, and by more 

 seemly sneezing and coughing; why children 

 should not suck pencils and pass them on, 

 or indulge the friendly impulse to share the 

 handkerchief or chewing gum. This is why 

 adults, as well as children, should not in- 

 salivate the leaves of books and papers as they 

 turn them over by wetting the fingers in the 

 mouth. Finally the story of the diphtheria 

 bacillus as of the pneumococcus and the tu- 

 bercle germ suggests the propriety of less 

 catholicity than is usual as to whom, and 

 more circumspection as to how, we kiss. 



Tetanus or Lockjaw 

 Tetanus is induced by a remarkable bacillus 



