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MODERN BIOLOGIC THERAPEUSIS 



streptococcus. Most investigators who have 

 studied this problem have concluded that strep- 

 tococci are only secondary factors and, while re- 

 sponsible for most of the mortality in scarlet 



fever, are entirely 

 distinct from the real 

 cause of the disease. 

 In scarlet fever the 

 mortality varies in 

 different epidemics 

 from 9 to 15 per 

 cent. Under one year 

 of age the mortality 

 is about 33 per cent. 

 Erysipelas -- Ery- 

 sipelas is an inflam- 

 matory disease of the skin, caused by a strepto- 

 coccus discovered by Fehleisen. Erysipelas was 

 described by Hippocrates who had a remarkably 

 clear conception of the disease. Its parasitic 

 origin was first maintained by Henle in 1840. 

 Hueter in 1876 was especially conspicuous in 

 claiming that the disease is caused by a micro- 

 organism. It was reserved for Koch in 1880 to 

 settle the question by finding the specific strep- 

 tococcus in the lymph vessels. Fehleisen made 



Streptococcus 

 in peritoneal fluid. 

 X 1,000 diameters. 



