132 ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY 



germs are very strong, the germs are not checked in their 

 growth, but continue to multiply rapidly and are distributed 

 by the blood, producing serious and even fatal results. Blood 

 poisoning, as we call it, may thus be a very serious matter, but 

 it is similar in nature to the smaller troubles, e.g. festers, boils 

 and the soreness that follows skin wounds, 



In endeavoring to avoid all forms of blood poisoning we 

 should remember a few simple facts: (1) The discharges 

 (pus) from sores or boils are sure to contain disease germs 

 and they should by every means be kept from coming in con- 

 tact with fresh cuts or bruises. (2) Whole, uninjured skin is 

 a sufficient protection for the parts underneath and germs 

 cannot penetrate it. But all points where the skin is broken, 

 cuts and bruises, should be carefully cleansed in boiled water. 

 (3) Various disinfecting ointments contain substances which 

 kill the germs. These ointments are of extreme value in 

 cases where the skin is broken. A wash of carbolic acid, one 

 part to twenty of water, is an excellent one to keep on hand, and 

 to use freely for washing all cuts, bruises or deep scratches. 



Malaria. Malaria, chills and fever, and fever and ague are 

 all practically the same disease. Here we have an actual dis- 

 ease of the blood, for it is due to a minute parasite that lives 

 upon the red corpuscles and in no other part of the body. These 

 parasites kill the corpuscle, which then breaks to pieces, and 

 the parasites come out into the blood plasma. At this time, 

 a little poison is let out into the blood from the broken cor- 

 puscle, producing a chill, followed by a fever. Soon after, 

 the parasites attack other corpuscles, grow forty-eight hours 

 and break up again. Thus, this peculiar disease is intermittent; 

 i.e. comes with regularity at certain intervals. If there is a 

 small amount of quinine in the blood at the time the corpuscles 

 break up, the little parasites will be destroyed and the disease 

 checked. Hence quinine is almost always used as a medicine in 

 cases of malaria. 



One of the most valuable discoveries of science has been 



