CHAPTER XII 

 WHOOPING-COUGH 



HOOPING-COUGH is another infectious dis- 

 ease in which the germ is no doubt present in 

 the secretions from the mucous membrane of the re- 

 spiratory passages, although this germ has not yet 

 been demonstrated to the entire satisfaction of the 

 medical profession. The disease is propagated by 

 contact or close association with the sick, but the in- 

 fection does not persist in the sick-room or attached 

 to the clothing of the sick, as is the case in diph- 

 theria, measles, and scarlet fever. Probably the germ 

 quickly perishes outside of the bodies of the suscept- 

 ible individuals who serve to propagate it. It has 

 been noted that the disease is rarely conveyed by 

 a third person and, when the clothing of those in at- 

 tendance on the sick is changed, the danger of its 

 being transmitted in this way is very slight. But sus- 

 ceptible children contract the disease after very brief 

 contact with one suffering from it. The infection 



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