PREFACE 



Bacteriology dominates so large a part of the art of 

 nursing that a correct understanding of the more im- 

 portant facts and principles of that science is an indis- 

 pensable part of every nurse's mental equipment. In the 

 following pages emphasis has been laid on the immediate 

 application of the subject to nursing, and only enough 

 general bacteriology has been introduced to give the 

 student a clear conception of the principles underlying 

 her work. A perusal of the various chapters will show 

 that a study of all the ordinary modes of transmission of 

 infection has been presented. Sufficient pathology has 

 been introduced to give the student a fair idea of the 

 nature of the infection described. Many pathogenic 

 bacteria have been omitted, because their discussion 

 would have added little or nothing to the presentation 

 of the principles already laid down. While there is no 

 gainsaying the value of individual laboratory exercises in 

 the study of bacteriology, the writers feel that, so far as 

 instruction to nurses is concerned, simple practical 

 demonstrations by the teacher may very well be sub- 

 stituted for individual laboratory work. Suggestions for 

 such demonstrations have been added at the end of the 

 chapters. 



New York City. 



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