THE PNETJMOCOCCUS 107 



therefore, be on her guard to prevent further infection 

 from this source. The enumeration of the main sources 

 of infection as given above should suffice to guide the 

 nurse in guarding others against pneumococcus infec- 

 tion. It is encouraging to know that the pneumococcus 

 is very sensitive to germicidal agents. Exposed to direct 

 sunlight pneumonic sputum loses its infectivity after a 

 few hours. The fine spray expelled in coughing that 

 remains suspended in the air soon dries so completely 

 that no pneumococci survive after two hours. 



