ETIOLOGY OF DISEASE 129 



bacteria cause various lesions throughout the body. 

 Some act as organic poisons, causing degeneration of 

 heart muscles or kidney structure, as in diphtheria and 

 scarlet fever; while others, as in tetanus, act as nerve 

 poisons. 



Venom of Serpents and Insects. The poisons of snakes 

 and insects produce both local and general lesions. 

 Locally, they give rise to inflammation and necrosis, and, 

 entering the blood, they act as organic poisons, causing 

 extensive destruction of internal organs and the blood 

 itself. 



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