DISEASES CAUSED BY PROTOZOA 297 



remaining unvaccinated. Vaccination is compulsory in the army 

 and navy, and, in most instances, for the civil population. 



Care of Vaccination Wounds. Like any other wound, a vac- 

 cination wound may become infected with various germs if not 

 kept perfectly clean. Apply a half dozen layers of sterile gauze 

 held on the arm by strips of adhesive plaster. Apply this shortly 

 after vaccination and keep it on constantly, changing the gauze 

 with clean hands every few days. 



Avoid bruising or injuring the arm. In case the gauze sticks to 

 the wound, loosen it with a hot 2 per cent solution of carbolic acid 

 in water. If vaccination is followed by illness or excessive inflam- 

 mation in the arm, a physician should be consulted. When bathing 

 do not allow the gauze to become wet. 



Another good method of treating the vaccination wound is to begin forty- 

 eight hours after vaccination to paint over and around the wound a 2 per cent 

 solution of picric acid in 70 per cent alcohol. Continue this daily until the 

 crust becomes quite hard. (Tenth to fifteenth day.) After this apply car- 

 bolized vaseline. After painting the wound, cover with gauze in tke usual 

 way. 



Rabies (Hydrophobia). Rabies is believed to be caused by a 



protozoon growing in the nerve tissue. It may attack animals as 

 well as man. The germ is found in the saliva of affected animals, 

 entering the human system through their bites. Most cases in 

 this country come from the bites of dogs. In man the germ grows 

 slowly, requiring at least two weeks before the disease shows itself, 

 while the period of development may extend to any time within a 

 year after the bite. 



For this disease, Louis Pasteur, a French scientist, discovered 

 a preventative treatment which is usually successful if commenced 

 in time. No time should be lost in beginning this treatment, for 

 there is no cure for rabies after the development of the disease. 

 If the materials for this treatment can be procured, the home 

 physician may administer the treatment. 



Any dog bite should be promptly treated with the best disin- 

 fectant at hand. Burning the wound with nitric acid is the most 

 effective remedy. 



