THE MICROBES OF HUMAN DISEASES. 



229 



XII. THE MICROBE OF PNEUMONIA. 



One of the most important micrographic dis- 

 coveries of late years is that a microbe is always 

 present in inflammation of the lungs, or pneumonia. 

 This disease was long considered, and is still con- 

 sidered by the majority of doctors, to be altogether 

 independent of any parasitic infection. It is such 

 a matter of tradition, both among patients and their 

 doctors, to ascribe this disease to accidental causes, 

 and especially to a sudden chill, that the parasitic 

 doctrine of pneumonia at once encountered a lively 



Fig. 93. Micrococci in sputum of pneumonia : h, d, free, or encysted in tlie lymphatic 

 cells a, c ; , nuclei of cells (tuucli enlarged). 



opposition. It is, however, now impossible to deny 

 the important part taken by microbes in the trans- 

 mission of this disease. 



The microbe of pneumonia was discovered by 

 Friedlander and Talamon in 1882. It consists of 

 micrococci, often associated in an 8 or in short chains 

 (Fig. 93), and found in the sputum and lungs of 

 pneumonic patients, either detached or encysted in the 

 lymphatic cells. 



