ORGANS AND CAVITIES OF THE HUMAN BODY 257 



CHAPTER XXXIII 



BACTERIOLCGIC EXAMINATION OF THE ORGANS AND 

 CAVITIES OF THE HUMAN BODY 



THE body, on account of its constant contact with the sur- 

 rounding air, is necessarily exposed to infection, and we would 

 be likely to find on the skin and in the oral, anal, and nasal 

 cavities the varieties of microorganisms commonly around us. 

 Through the water and food the body is also contaminated, 

 but some organisms by predilection inhabit the mouth, intes- 

 tine, and other cavities, and form there a flora, distinctly their 

 own. 



The Skin. The majority of microorganisms met with on 

 the skin are non-pathogenic, although underneath the nails 

 and in the hair pus-forming microorganisms often occur, 

 producing sometimes serious abscesses on other parts of the 

 body. 



In the sweat-glands and the sebaceous glands various 

 organisms have been found. The Staphylococcus pyogenes 

 seems to be present constantly. 



In foul-smelling perspiration of the feet Rosenbach found 

 microorganisms pathogenic for rabbits. 



Micrococcus cereus albus and flavus, Diplococcus liquefa- 

 ciens albus and flavus, Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus, and 

 Streptococcus pyogenes are found underneath the nails. 



In eczema, Diplococcus albicans tardus, Diplococcus 

 citreus liquefaciens, Diplococcus flavus liquefaciens, and 

 Ascobacillus citreus. 



In colored sweat, Micrococcus haematoides, Bacillus 

 pyocyaneus. 



A diplococcus is found in acute pemphigus. 



The lepra bacillus, the tubercle bacillus in lupus, and the 

 typhoid bacillus in the eruption of typhoid fever are a few of 

 the specific germs found on the skin during the disease stage. 

 17 



