CHAPTER LIV 



THE MICROBE OF YELLOW FEVER 



THIS microbe is represented in Fig. 90. It is 

 Rod-shaped and is one of the smallest pathogenic 

 germs. When isolated, it was named bacillus 

 icteroides. 



This microbe belongs in the animal kingdom. 

 On its tiny body are several fine thread-like ap- 

 pendages by which, no doubt, it is assisted in mov- 

 ing about. 



This germ, too, is tropical it can live only in 

 tropical climates. The first touch of frost destroys 

 it. 



The yellow fever, therefore, prevails only in 

 tropical climates. Individual cases may be im- 

 ported into the North; epidemics occur only in the 

 South. Northerners, going South, are exceedingly 

 predisposed to the disease, and, when infected, al- 

 ways have it. 



Infection takes place by the bite of a mosquito 

 which entomologists have named Stezzomia Fas- 

 ciata. The mosquito must first bite a fever pa- 

 tient. In sucking blood of the patient into and 

 through its proboscis, it draws in fever germs. 

 Then, in biting a well person, it infects that per- 

 son with the germs taken from the patient. In 



195 



