WATER AND GERMS. 1178 



blood corpuscles destroy the germs, when they are not present in 

 too great numbers, and the system discards them in various ways. 

 You will note, by referring to Plate I., page 42, the description of 

 typhoid and other germs. ' 



This, the greatest discovery of modern science, has not. only re- 

 vealed the cause of diseases^ but it has greatly simplified or modified 

 the treatment and care. of patients suffering from them, and has also 

 shown how to avoid these diseases. v 



These germs grow and develop in the system, under proper con- 

 ditions, as we have found by experience with typhoid fever. Take, 

 for example, a suspected case of this fever. Knowing that the ali- 

 mentary canal is full of effete matter upon which the germs grow 

 and rapidly develop, and from which source they are carried to all 

 parts of the system through the circulation, we can modify, cut 

 short, and even abort many cases by prompt measures in clearing 

 out the effete matter from the alimentary canal. We do this best 

 by the use of saline laxatives, such as common salts, or any quickly 

 acting cathartic, aided, if necessary, by an enema. Then by careful 

 diet, we keep the system as clear as possible from useless material. 



We have learned to look with particular care to the purity of 

 drinking-water, which can be easily determined by the following 

 test: — 



Test for Water. 



Three grains permanganate of -potash and twelve grains of 

 caustic potash to one ounce distilled water. Add one or two drops 

 of the solution to a glass of water, arid stir. If the water turns a 

 bright pink color, remaining for a few minutes, it is fit to drink ; 

 while if the color becomes a dirty brown K and disappears after a few 

 minutes, the water is impure, and should not be used. The more of 

 the solution needed to produce a permanent color — the brown 

 color — the more impure the water. 



The above test applies only to organic impurities, and not to 



mineral. ."">'-"•*. 



By referring to Plate I., page 42, a good representation will be 

 found of many of the various forms of disease germs, such as cocci 

 (Nos. 1-T), showing those of a round or oval form, appearing in 

 clusters, or groups ; next the bacteria (Nos. 8-10), dumb-bell form ; 

 also the bacillus (Nos. 11-15), or rod form, in which we find the 

 bacillus of malaria (Fig. 14). Fig. 15 shows the typhoid bacillus ; 

 Fig. 12 shows the bacillus of tuberculosis, or consumption. 



