563 



( 



D 



PREFACE 



WHILE bacteriology is one of the most recent subjects introduced 

 into the Training School Curriculum it is by no means of least im- 

 portance ; indeed, so intimately is it related to the other subjects 

 that with the exception of anatomy and materia medica it may 

 be regarded as necessary to a right understanding of them all. 



The science of bacteriology has, within recent years, developed 

 so rapidly that it is impossible to more than mention certain 

 phases of the subject in so limited a space. That branch which 

 is of the greatest interest to the student nurse, namely, the study 

 of pathogenic microorganisms, comprises the greater part of the 

 book ; at the same time an effort has been made to point out that 

 the ability to produce disease is limited to comparatively few 

 species and that by far the greatest number of these infinitesimal 

 forms of life perform beneficent tasks. 



An attempt has been made to present the subject in as clear 

 and interesting a form as possible in order to enable the student 

 to realize the almost incredible force of the microscopic world, 

 a force so powerful both for good and ill, and to place within her 

 reach by increased knowledge the means of combating the baneful 

 effects of those forms with which she is most likely to have to deal. 



M. A. SMEETON. 



.MIS'.) 



