320 INFECTIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT 



sterilization involves the destruction of the spores of the 

 putrefactive anaerobes and can only be accomplished 

 with certainty by the use of the autoclave. It is evi- 

 dent from what has been just said, that the partial 

 sterilization of milk containing putrefactive organisms 

 in abundance is not a desirable procedure, since it 

 destroys the lactic-acid bacteria which are normally 

 present and which exert an antiputrefactive action. It 

 is safer for patients to drink milk containing lactic-acid 

 organisms together with putrefactive ones than to drink 

 the latter alone, unless these are very few in number. 



An important measure bearing upon the introduction 

 of putrefactive bacteria into the intestine is the proper 

 cleansing of the mouth. Putrefactive bacteria such as 

 putrificus are not uncommon in the mouth, especially 

 where there is dental caries. They find in cavities 

 sufficiently anaerobic conditions for their development. 

 Whether other forms of putrefactive organisms occur in 

 the mouth in cases of chronic excessive putrefaction 

 in the intestine is not clear. I have never certainly 

 found B. aerogenes capsulatus. The growth of this 

 organism and of allied strict anaerobes could easily 

 be prevented or minimized by careful cleansing of the 

 teeth and especially by the avoidance of the lodging of 

 food between the teeth. The maintenance of the mouth 

 in a relatively cleanly condition through the intelligent 

 and free use of the toothbrush and through the employ- 

 ment of an oxidizing tooth paste, such as Pebeco, 1 



^his is a paste containing a high percentage of potassium 

 chlorate. 



