PAET II 

 FEVER MICROBES 



CHAPTER XLIV 

 THE MICEOBE OF TYPHOID FEVER 



IN Fig. 79 is shown this microbe. It is rod- 

 shaped, with the ends slightly oval. Its average 

 length is about the ^Vv part of an inch; its thick- 

 ness somewhat more. It has flagella on its sides, 

 or threadlike appendages which serve as means of 

 motion, like fins to the fish and wings to the bird. 

 The little rods reproduce themselves by growing a 

 trifle longer, then dividing in the middle. This 

 process may be kept up indefinitely. 



Every case of typhoid fever in the world is 

 caused by this microbe, and by this microbe only. 

 The germ lives in water outside the body. Almost 

 always the person is infected by drinking the 

 tainted water. In this way the germ gets into the 

 stomach. From the stomach into the bowel. 

 Here is its natural nexus. Here it finds its proper 

 food. Here it grows. Here it multiplies in great 

 numbers. In growing and multiplying, it pro- 

 duces the typhoid poison. This poison enters the 

 circulation and permeates the entire system. 



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