32O DISTRIBUTION OF BACTERIA 



mated cells of the epidermis furnish the necessary nutritive 

 substances. 



The number of bacteria present on the skin is influenced by 

 the heat and moisture of the body, the clothing worn, the 

 occupation of the individual, and the degree of cleanliness 

 observed. 



Disinfection and sterilization of the hands has received 

 careful attention in recent years by surgeons and bacteriolo- 

 gists. It has been found that the hands, notwithstanding 

 the fact that they are exposed to all sorts of outside influences 

 and that they are frequently cleansed and freed of desqua- 

 mated epithelial cells, are covered with as large a number of 

 bacteria as those surfaces of the body which are not exposed 

 and not cleansed so often. Foster found that it was impos- 

 sible to remove all the bacteria in a short time by the use of 

 soap, water, and brush. It is claimed at the present time 

 that constant washing of the hands with sterile disinfecting 

 soap, water, and brush for twenty minutes is necessary to 

 remove all the bacteria. Bockhart and Fiirbringer have 

 found large numbers of bacteria under the finger nails. The 

 foregoing statements serve to illustrate the prevalence of 

 the bacteria on the skin and how difficult it is to remove 

 them. 



The bacteria usually found on the surfaces of the body 

 belong almost entirely to the Coccaceae and the Bacteriacese. 

 The micrococci are perhaps the commonest inhabitants. 

 The pus cocci are quite numerous at all times. 



