INFLAMMATION, SUPPURATION 69 



flammation of the middle ear), and rheumatic fever 

 are all attributed to streptococcus pyogenes. 



The mucous membranes frequently harbor strepto- 

 cocci, the tonsils being a favorite resting place. 

 Diphtheria is nearly always accompanied by an 

 abundance of streptococci, which were at one time 

 thought to be the cause of the disease. Streptococcic 

 infections following, or secondary to, other infections 

 occur often in tuberculosis, smallpox, and scarlet 

 fever; and septicaemia, due to streptococci, occurs 

 in many diseases. 



In the lower animals, horses, cattle, rabbits, and 

 mice are all susceptible to infections from strepto- 

 cocci. 



Immunity following streptococcic infection is of 

 short duration. Efforts have been made to utilize 

 the serum of immunized animals both for the protec- 

 tion and cure of streptococcic infections in man, but 

 the results have been uneven and upon the whole not 

 very satisfactory. 



To the two organisms staphylococci and strepto- 

 cocci are due most of the innumerable train of infec- 

 tions liable to occur in hospitals, which are a con- 

 stant source of anxiety to doctors and nurses. The 

 everyday routine of a hospital ward affords end- 

 less opportunities for infection to be carried from 



