MICROORGANISMS AND HUMAN WELFARE 33 



lieved to be a sentence to a lingering death ; it was believed 

 also that the disease was hereditary. Happily modern 

 medicine has dispelled both these beliefs. A child may 

 inherit weak lungs or a frail body; but it will never be a 



A. Tent open. B. Tent closed. 



FIG. 15. Window tent. (Courtesy of Dr. Thomas S. Carrington.) 



consumptive unless the bacteria that cause this disease are 

 in some way planted in his tissues. Consumption, too, is a 

 curable disease, unless it is neglected until it has reached 

 an advanced stage. The prime requisites in the treatment of 

 the disease are a plentiful supply of fresh air, plenty of easily 



