136 GLOSSARY. 



Carrier. A person, not sick with any disease, who carries dis- 

 ease-producing organisms in the body and is capable of 

 infecting others with them. 



Cell. The smallest unit of structure in plant and animal life. 



Chancre. The primary sore at the point of infection in 

 syphilis. 



Cellulitis. An inflammation in the soft tissues of the body. 



Coccus. A bacterium having a spherical shape. 



Colony. A mass of micro-organisms of the same kind that 

 has developed from one organism. 



Contagion. The transmission of disease by mediate or im- 

 mediate contact. 



Culture. A mass of micro-organisms growing on laboratory 

 culture media. 



Cystitis. Inflammation of the urinary bladder. 



Deodorant. A substance that destroys objectionable odors. 

 Disinfectant. A physical or chemical agent that destroys 

 bacteria. 



Empyema. A collection of pus in the pleural cavity. 



Endocarditis. An inflammation of the lining of the heart. 



Endotoxin. A poison retained in the body of a bacterium and 

 set free when the bacterium disintegrates. 



Enzyme. An unorganized ferment formed in the bodies of 

 plants and animals capable of splitting complex sub- 

 stances into simpler forms without being changed itself. 



Erysipelas. An acute spreading infection in the skin. 



Etiology. The study of the causes of disease and the way 

 disease is transmitted. 



Fermentation. The decomposition of complex substances 



into simpler forms by the action of a ferment. 

 Flagellum (pi. flagella). A whip-like process extending from 



the body of a bacterium which propels the organism 



about. 

 Filtration. The passage of fluid through a filter to remove 



the solid particles. 



