THE MICEOBES OP HUMAN DISEASES. 



237 



Fig. 99. — Boil microbe 

 (^Staphylococcus pyo- 

 ffenus aureus; llosen- 

 bacl]). 



that it is readily and spontaneously self-inoculated, 

 and that boils and carbuncles rarely occur singly 

 in the same individual. Diabetic 

 patients are very subject to this 

 affection, yet the microbe does not 

 admit of culture in sugared water. 



Phlegmon. — This is the name given 

 to the suppuration of the subcutaneous cellular tissue, 

 caused by contusions, wounds, and medical injections 

 of morphia or any other sub- 

 stance. Microbes are always 

 found associated in 8's or in 

 long sinuous chains (Fig. 

 100). In all these cases there 

 has been some communica- 

 tion with the outer air, for 

 woun^ which are really sub- 

 cutaneous — fractures, for ex- 

 ample — even when accom- 

 panied by abundant ha?morr- 

 hage, heal without suppuration, and microbes are not 

 present. 



Fig. 100. — Pus of phlegmon, contain- 

 ing chains of micrococci (x luuo 

 diam.). 



XVII. Mode op Action of Miceobes in Disease. 

 Ptomaines. 



The question how microbes act in disease has long 

 been doubtful, but the progress of science tends to 

 clear away obscurity. 



