HOUSEHOLD BACTERIOLOGY 



Effect 

 of Cold 



Formation 

 of Pus 



It is fortunate for us that there is such a force that 

 is hungry and ever seeking what and how many it 

 may devour, for we can never know just how much 

 we owe to them for our freedom from disease. As 

 long as these white globules are numerous and active, 

 so long man seems to have one powerful guardian 

 against any invading germ, however poisonous. Any- 

 thing which affects these white guardians unfavorably 

 lessens their power to protect man. 



Cold paralyzes them and gives the bacteria, if pres- 

 ent, a better chance to escape from being overcome, 

 and we are thus more subject to their attacks. Win- 

 ter's cold increases the prevalence of many germ dis- 

 eases, not usually by increasing the number or virulence 

 of the germs themselves, but by decreasing in some 

 persons the power of these leucocytes the guardians 

 of our health. 



Insufficient clothing, or insufficient food which is 

 the body's fuel, may thus favor the attacks or the 

 spread of germ diseases. Very often these phagocytes 

 lose their lives in resisting our foes. Then they, with 

 their victims and the dead tissue cells, form pus or 

 "matter," which children even know should be "let 

 out" in order that the tissues may heal. 



The formation of pus is well illustrated by the 

 action of a sliver. We may or may not knoV that the 

 tiny speck of wood entered the flesh. But it is likely 

 to carry in with it dirt and therefore bacteria. The 

 phagocytes rally to surround this newcomer. The flesh 



