CHAPTER LXV 



MICROBE OF THE CARBUNCLE 



ANOTHER germ that lives free in Nature, a soil 

 microbe. Infection occurs in the usual way, 

 by some wound on the surface of the body. In 

 adults, the wound is usually some slight abrasion 

 of the skin on the hands; in children and youth, 

 a wound on the hands, or, if they go barefoot, 

 on the feet. 



Once in the circulation, the germ may be carried 

 by the blood stream to some other point on the 

 surface of the body, usually to the back of the 

 neck, or between the shoulder blades. Or, if some 

 little abrasion is made at this point, possibly by 

 the finger nails, the germ may here enter directly 

 from the contaminated nails; or from any other 

 contaminated instrument. 



Once in the wound, the germ multiplies, gener- 

 ates poison. The poison produces inflammation, 

 breaks down the cells and tissues, finally convert- 

 ing them into pus. 



Beginning as a mere red pimple, the carbuncle 

 may become as large as a walnut or orange. At 

 the proper time, if it does not break, it must be 

 lanced; else the pus may be absorbed into the sys- 

 tem and produce blood poisoning. 



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