ORGANS AND CAVITIES OF THE HUMAN BODY 231 



coughing, sneezing, etc., large numbers of organisms are vio- 

 lently ejected and the atmosphere about tubercular patients 

 is always saturated with tubercle bacilli. 



Ear. In the middle ear of newborn infants no pathogenic 

 organisms were found, but quite a number of non-pathogenic 

 ones. In affections of the ear the pneumobacillus and the 

 Staphylococcus pyogenes are most frequent. 



When the streptococcus is present in acute suppurations, 

 there is great danger of mastoiditis. In chronic otitis the gas- 

 forming bacteria, as well as Bacillus pyocyaneus, is often 

 found. 



Nasal Cavity. The nasal secretion, containing as it does 

 dead cells and being alkaline in reaction, forms a good soil for 

 the growth of germs. 



Diplococcus coryzae, Micrococcus nasalis, Bacillus fcetidus 

 ozaenae, Bacillus striatus albus et flavus, Bacillus capsulatus 

 mucosus, and Vibrio nasalis are some of the organisms de- 

 scribed by various observers. 



Stomach and Intestine. The secretion of the stomach is 

 in its normal state not a favorable soil for the development of 

 bacteria, yet some germs resist the action of the gastric juice 

 and flourish in it. When the acids of the stomach are dimin- 

 ished in quantity or absent altogether, the conditions for the 

 growth of bacteria are more favorable. The alimentary canal 

 of the newborn infant is sterile, but in a few hours micro- 

 organisms begin to appear. 



Some gastric bacteria normally present are Sarcina ventric- 

 uli, Bacterium lactis aerogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus 

 amylobacter, Bacillus megaterium. 



The intestinal organisms are more numerous, and the 

 mucous lining of the intestines and the secretions there present 

 are favorable to germ-growth. 



Bacillus geniculatus, Boas considers a sign of carcinoma of 

 the stomach, and is always present, he claims, when the con- 

 tents contain lactic acid. 



Some investigators consider digestion dependent on microbic 

 activity, but experiments with animals have shown that life 



