CAUSING ACUTE INFECTIONS. 



87 



to breathing. By far the greater damage is caused 

 by the poisons that are absorbed and affect the vari- 

 ous organs and tissues, particularly the muscle of the 

 heart, the kidneys, and the nervous system. The 



Fig. 10. Bacillus diphtheriae. X 1000. (Drawing 

 by E. L. Oatman, M.D.) 



effect of the poisons upon the heart results sometimes 

 in sudden death, following even slight exertion like 

 sitting up in bed. Paralysis may follow diphtheria 

 when the nervous system has been attacked. 



Diphtheria in the throat and nose is detected by 

 finding the bacilli in the wipings made from the mem- 



