144 THE ACUTE SELF-LIMITED INFECTIONS 



of human beings to dysentery by injecting dead or 

 attenuated bacilli; no active immunity has been 

 achieved. The antiserum may also be used as a 

 preventive, given subcutaneously in generous doses, 

 particularly in times of epidemic. Our knowledge is 

 incomplete as to its full value, but the reports so far 

 are promising. 



VINCENT'S ANGINA. 



Vincent's angina is a very important inflammatory 

 disease of the tonsils and pharynx, sometimes simu- 

 lating diphtheria in that a false membrane is also 

 characteristic of the disease. The causative bacteria 

 are spirilla and fusiform rods, probably two stages of 

 development of the same organism, since it is believed 

 that the former develop from the latter. The earlier 

 stage is the time when the pseudomembrane appears, 

 but this soon gives place to punched-out ulcerations. 

 The disease is mild, producing only a little local pain, 

 slight fever, and malaise. The disease may coexist 

 with diphtheria, aggravating the latter. The bacteria 

 gain admission by direct transfer from a patient to 

 the unaffected throat. The condition is not very 

 contagious. Disinfection should be observed by 

 frequent cleansing of throat and mouth by mild anti- 

 septics. Rinse water and cloths used to wipe the 

 mouth may be rendered innocuous by any practical 

 disinfectant working for half an hour. Little is known 

 of the method of action of the bacteria. They probably 

 produce the condition by soluble poisons. In diag- 

 nosticating Vincent's angina a smear from the false 



