CHAPTER XXXIX 



MICROBE OF THE MUMPS 



THE two glands, one on each side of the face, are 

 called the parotids. They extend back on both 

 sides to the angle of the jaws. The inflammation 

 of one or both of these glands is known as the 

 mumps. One side of the face is affected. It 

 swells up, and the swelling continues a week. 

 Then the other side swells, and continues in the 

 same way another week. Or the disease may be 

 confined to one side, the other not being affected 

 at all. 



The disease is contagious and infectious. From 

 the person suffering one may take it by contact, 

 by occupying a chair which has been occupied by 

 him, by breathing the air in the same room, and in 

 many other ways. If a scholar who has it attends 

 school, he exposes all the other scholars. 



The period of incubation varies with different 

 individuals. Some may come down with the dis- 

 ease in ten days after exposure. Others go longer ; 

 some, twenty days. 



The person is infectious, or may communicate 

 the disease to others, any time during fourteen days 

 after the disease begins. 



In ordinary cases no doctor is needed. He can 



148 



