ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY 



FIG. 45. 

 BACTERIA 

 ( BACTERIUM 



making it almost impossible to swallow, It is called quinsy 

 sore-throat, which also yields to proper treatment. 



Diphtheria. Diphtheria has been one of the most serious 

 of human diseases and one which frequently results fatalty. 

 It is produced by bacteria (Fig. 45.) which cause the formation 

 of white patches on the tonsils and near-by surfaces. These 

 spread and grow together, finally forming a 

 membrane over the throat which may extend 

 down into the windpipe and interfere with 

 breathing. Until recently no remedy for 

 diphtheria was known, and no disease excited 

 greater apprehension. Within the past few 

 years, however, bacteriologists have found a 

 DIPHTHERIA) method of treating it successfully by the use 

 The cause of of a substance called antitoxin which neutral- 

 diphtheria. izeg the effect of the bacter j a> Th i s anti . 



toxin is prepared from the blood of horses which have previ- 

 ously been treated with diphtheria poisons. By its use, the 

 number of deaths from diphtheria has been much reduced. 

 It is better, however, to use the antitoxin in the early 

 stages of the disease. Therefore, it is important to attend 

 promptly to all cases of sore throat, and a physician should be 

 called whenever it becomes serious or when white spots appear. 



Both tonsilitis and diphtheria are very contagious. Th( 

 bacteria in the throat pass out into the air when the patiem 

 coughs or speaks loudly, and they are also sure to get upon 

 any object that the patient places in his mouth. Knives, 

 forks and spoons used in eating, pencils which he may place 

 in his mouth, books handled by the patient are all liable t< 

 be covered with the germs. Such articles will obviously 

 a source of contagion to others who use them, but if the 

 articles are boiled, when possible, for ten minutes in water 

 this danger may be removed. 



The serious nature of diphtheria and its frequency among 

 children has led to the custom of keeping from school those 



