PART SIXTH. 



BACTERIA IN SURGICAL LESIONS. 



THE important part played by bacteria in sur- 

 gical lesions can no longer be questioned. This 

 is demonstrated (a) positively, by the ill-effects 

 which result from the retention of discharges con- 

 taining putrefactive bacteria upon the surface of 

 open wounds, or in sinuses and cavities; and (/>) 

 negatively, by the favorable results of antiseptic 

 treatment ; and the fact that when the access of 

 micro-organisms is prevented by the integrity of 

 the cutis, very severe lesions, attended with an 

 abundant exudation of bloody serum, are com- 

 monly recovered from without suppuration or any 

 evil result from the resorption of this fluid and of 

 inflammatory exudates. But this same material 

 quickly attains poisonous properties in the presence 

 of bacteria, and not only exercises a deleterious 

 local effect, unfavorable to the repair of the injury, 

 but its absorption now is attended with the most 

 serious consequences. 



These facts, which are so generally recognized 

 that it is unnecessary to present evidence in their 



