CONVEY4NCE BY CLOTHING, ETC. 57 



Transmission by direct and indirect contact are contact. 

 somewhat in contrast. In the former actual per- 

 sonal contact takes place between the sick and 

 healthy, as previously stated, and as illustrated by 

 gonorrhea and syphilis.* Probably many of the 

 infections which are conveyed through the air may 

 also be acquired by direct contact. However, a 

 distinction in this case has no significance, since 

 actual contact without exposure to air infection 

 could hardly occur. 



Indirect contact, on the other hand, implies 

 transmission through the agency of an interme- 

 diate person or object. Speaking strictly, convey- 

 ance from person to person, through the air, water, 

 or even by insects, comes within the domain of in- 

 direct contact, yet their methods are so specialized, 

 so obtrusive and so constantly utilized by certain 

 groups of micro-organisms that they deserve the _ 

 separate consideration usually given them. The 

 tendency is a correct , one to withdraw from the 

 domain of indirect contact any method of trans- 

 mission which can be spoken of more concretely. 



One could not hope to mention all of the possi- 

 ble channels through which an infection may be 

 carried indirectly. There are great variations in 

 details. "Carrying- a disease in one's clothing" 

 from pJace to place; the use of the toys of a diph- 

 theritic child; washing or handling the linen of a 

 cholera, typhoid or dysentery patient ; occupying a 

 room formerly used by a patient having scarlet 

 fever or tuberculosis; the occasional transfer of 

 syphilis by the drinking-cup or the dentist's for- 



* Exceptions occur in relation to syphilis, as in the oc- 

 casional transfer by drinking cups and instruments ; 

 hereditary syphilis may be considered as a special case. 



