RESISTANCE OF THE BODY gi 



becomes red, inflamed and sore, then a "fester" ap- 

 pears. Open the "fester" and a drop or more of pus 

 exudes, in the midst of which will probably be the 

 irritating sliver. The bacteria, the cause of the inflam- 

 mation, having passed out, the flesh heals. If there 

 has been much bacterial growth there may be much 

 or longer continued inflammation because of the tox- 

 ines or poisonous matters produced by the germs. 



When certain very virulent germs enter the tissues, Bipod 

 are unconquered either by the phagocytes or the other 

 resisting powers of the body, the products of germ 

 growth may be rapidly distributed by the blood 

 throughout the body, producing the fatal cases of blood 

 poisoning. The germ was especially virulent, in great 

 numbers, or possibly neither of these, but the body was 

 so "far below par" that it had no power to resist the 

 growth and action of the germs and the toxines which 

 the germs manufactured. 



That bacteria capable of producing disease in human Germg 

 beings are far more commonly present than the diseases J^Me* 

 cannot be doubted. Germs of pneumonia are found 

 in the mouths of healthy persons. Some persons when 

 exposed to infection succumb ; others remain unaf- 

 fected. The old saying that "lightning never strikes 

 twice in the same place" has often been applied to the 

 expressed fear of a recurrence of an infectious dis- 

 ease. Although there are many exceptions to the rule, 

 it is true, as we have said, that in a majority of cases 

 after recovery from such a disease there is less dan- 



