BACILLUS PEST IS 123 



the nearest lymph glands, where they set up inflam- 

 mation and pus, which is frequently discharged by 

 rupture through the skin. The bacteria enter the 

 blood stream and produce a septicemia. 



1ft the pneumonic form the bacteria are inhaled and 

 set up a pneumonia not unlike that produced by 

 ordinary cocci. Here again there may be suppuration 

 and septicemia. 



The bacilli produce the characteristic results chiefly 

 by means of their endotoxins, little or no separable 

 poisons being formed. There is no difference in 

 the bacteria or their products in the two forms 

 which simply depend on their mode of entry. The 

 mortality of this disease is very high, due to the 

 rapid progress made after the disease gains a foothold. 

 The incubation is three to seven days. The bacteria 

 are present in the blood, pus, and sputum in enormous 

 numbers. They may be also in dejecta. Many suppose 

 them to be in the breath, but this is probably erroneous. 

 They are in the droplets of saliva expelled by cough- 

 ing, sneezing, and talking. It is customary in times 

 of epidemics, to go about with a towel over the nose 

 and mouth, with the feet and ankles well bound, 

 and all surfaces covered. Sputum, urine, and feces 

 should be received into 5 per cent, carbolic acid and 

 allowed to remain, well mixed, for two hours. Dress- 

 ings from ulcerated surfaces must be burned. Doors 

 and windows must be screened against flies and mos- 

 quitoes. The room must be rat- and mouse-free. After 

 death formaldehyde or carbolic acid solution is to be 

 injected into the body entrances and applied about the 

 body on the winding sheet. 



