CHAPTER VII 



PATHOGENIC BACTERIA AND DISEASES CAUSED BY 



THEM 



MiCROCOCCI 



Micrococcus Lanceolatus (Micrococcus Pneumonias, 

 Diplococcus Pneumonia, Pneumococcus of Frankel). 

 A non-motile, non-spore-forming coccus, occurring 

 in pairs. It is the cause of lobar pneumonia, also of 

 otitis media, ulcer of the cornea, endocarditis, mastoid- 

 itis, and meningitis. It is found in the mouths of 

 healthy individuals, though it seems not to be virulent 

 under such conditions. It is found in great numbers in 

 the sputum of lobar pneumonia and in the lungs, where 

 it produces its characteristic lesions of inflammation 

 consolidation accompanied by high temperature. Sus- 

 ceptibility to infection is increased by lowered vitality 

 from whatever cause, as age, exposure to cold and wet, 

 other diseases, as influenza and tuberculosis, or applica- 

 tion of other irritants to the respiratory mucosa. 



Serum treatment has proved ineffectual. Sputum and 

 excretions should be disinfected, as should the room 

 of the pneumonia patient. There is great danger not 

 only of others contracting the disease, but of wound 



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