MICROBE OF THE CARBUNCLE 239 



But beware! Every particle of the pus is alive 

 with germs. If it enters other slight wounds, 

 other carbuncles are the result. 



A certain patient had a carbuncle on the back 

 of the neck. It pained and itched. He scratched 

 the skin around it. It broke. The pus entered 

 the scratches. A crop of thirty-two other car- 

 buncles was the result. The physician barely 

 saved him from death by blood poisoning. 



As soon as pus forms and issues from the car- 

 buncle, freely apply the anaesthetic. Carbonic 

 acid, or bichloride of mercury, properly diluted with 

 water, is the stuff. It kills the germs, stops fur- 

 ther harm. 



But had the anaesthetic been applied to the fresh 

 wound, no carbuncle would have troubled. How 

 much better ! Keep the anaesthetic on hand. Ap- 

 ply it to every little, or more serious, wound. You 

 are safe. 



