BACTERIA IN DISEASE. I53 



fectious elements which happen to be present in the air will 

 usually be attached to particles of dust. Wool-sorter's disease 

 is a name sometimes applied to anthrax in man when acquired 

 by those engaged in the work of handling wool, and in which 

 the anthrax bacilli or spores may be conveyed to the lungs in 

 dust. 



The atmosphere in the vicinity of cases of the exanthematous 

 fevers at times probably contains the germs of these diseases. 



Water is the usual medium for the transmission of the in- 

 fection in typhoid fever, and Asiatic cholera, and probably all 

 forms of dysentery. 



Milk from tuberculous cows may carry the bacilli of tubercu- 

 losis; it is of most importance in the case of young infants. 

 Typhoid fever and cholera, and probably dysentery, scarlet fever 

 and diphtheria are sometimes conveyed through the medium 

 of milk. Bacteria may reach the intestines in uncooked jood, 

 fruit and vegetables. 



The Soil is of importance in connection with tetanus and 

 malignant edema, whose bacteria are frequently found in soil. 

 Bacillus aerogenes capsulatus may occur in the soil, and may 

 infect dirty wounds. The spores of anthrax baciUi are present 

 in the soil of certain localities, and may produce anthrax in 

 cattle. 



Flies * and other insects and related animals are capable of 

 carrying the bacteria of disease. Under suitable conditions 

 flies play an important part in transporting the bacteria of 

 cholera and typhoid fever from the excreta of these diseases to 

 food substances, which they may contaminate. FUes which 

 have access to tuberculous sputum may deposit tubercle bacilli 

 on food.f To what extent diseases are disseminated by fleas, 

 bedbugs and similar creatures is still uncertain. 



*Nuttall. Role of Insects, etc., in Disease. Johns Hopkins Hospital Reports. 

 Vol. VIII. 1900. 



j" Lord. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. Dec. 15, 1904. 



