.'l.\T.U/n.Y/.S.U />'/:TirAV-:.Y THE LlVIXd HOI>Y AM) HACTERIA 157 



the bacilli themselves, but also that portion of their poison which has 

 not as yet been absorbed from the tissues. The beneficial effects of 

 opening an abscess, incising a cellulitis, or cleansing and drainage of 

 the uterine cavity are well known. The retention of the poisonous 

 products of the bacteria leads to their absorption, and then through 

 their combining with the protective substances of the adjacent fluids 

 the tone of the neighboring, and to a less extent of the general, tissues 

 is lowered. This enables the bacteria to penetrate into tissues which 

 would otherwise resist them. The mechanical effect of pressure on 

 the walls of an abscess by its contents also aids the bacterial progress. 

 Local bleeding and the application of cold probably act by lessening 

 tension. The application of warmth increases the blood flow to the 

 part, and so, when the general blood supply is bactericidal, as it often 

 is, it acts favorably on the inflammation by destroying the bacteria. 

 A peculiar effect of operative interference is noticed in the frequently 

 observed beneficial result of laparotomy in tuberculous peritonitis. 



Antiseptic solutions have the power of cleansing and rendering sterile 

 the surfaces of a wound that is, of preventing the introduction of 

 infection. After infection has taken place, however, it is doubtful 

 whether antiseptic washing has much more direct influence than simple 

 cleansing, and it certainly can have no bactericidal effect at any dis- 

 tance from the surface, either direct or indirect. Certain infectious 

 diseases which are comparatively superficial are probably benefited 

 by antiseptic solutions, such as gonorrhoea, diphtheria, and other 

 inflammations of the mucous membranes. Even here, however, it is 

 impossible to do more than disinfect superficially, and in some cases 

 any irritation of the tissues is apt to do more harm than good. In the 

 superficial lesions of syphilis and tuberculosis the local use of antiseptics 

 is sometimes of great value. In these diseases the irritant effects of the 

 antiseptics which stimulate the tissues may also be beneficial. 



Specific Immunity, or a Condition of the Body which Prevents the Develop- 

 ment in it of One Variety of Micro-organisms or Renders it Unaffected 

 by Their Bacterial Poisons. The invasion of the body with more or less 

 serious results by almost every micro-organism is followed by a condition 

 which for a variable period and to a variable degree is deleterious to its 

 further growth. It also may give rise to substances which neutralize 

 the poisonous effects of the bacterial products. This specific immunity 

 may take place in various ways: 



1. Through recovery from disease naturally contracted or from 

 infection artificially produced. According to the nature of the invading 

 micro-organism this immunity may be slight, as after recovery from 

 erysipelas or pneumonia, marked for a short period of time, as in diph- 

 theria and typhoid fever, or prolonged, as after scarlet fever or syphilis. 



2. By the injection of micro-organisms attenuated by heat, chemi- 

 cals, or other means. In this case an infection of the animal is produced, 

 of moderate severity, as a rule, and the immunity is not as marked and 

 lasting as after recovery from a more serious attack; but it is, never- 

 theless, considerable. The inoculation of sheep with the attenuated 



