THE MICROBES OF HUMAN DISEASES. 219 
ing their former virulence. They were, however, not 
dead, since they were still capable of reproduction, but 
only up to the third or fourth generation. It must, 
therefore, be admitted that the free access of air given 
by tracheotomy, may attenuate the virulence of the 
micrococcus of croup. 
Too much cannot be said against the misuse of 
emetics, which is, unfortunately, very common, since they 
are readily administered by parents without medical 
advice. A regular emetic of which the action is 
much more violent than that of ipecacuanha should 
never be given. The micrococci are only found in 
the most superficial layers of the false membranes, 
and when these are removed, an irritated and bleeding 
mucous membrane remains, which had been previously 
protected by the false membrane from immediate 
contact with the microbes: these now pass without 
difficulty into the blood. Thus the ground may be 
said to be prepared and rendered more favourable 
for the multiplication of the micrococci, which are 
sown there afresh, and are reproduced with frightful 
rapidity. 
The most effectual remedy has been prescribed by 
Dr. Fontaine of Bar-sur-Seine. It consists in admin- 
istering sulphurous drugs, in the form of sulphate 
of calcium, so as to produce in the stomach a 
slow disengagement of sulphuretted hydrogen gas, 
which checks the development of microbes, or attenu- 
ates their virulence, It need scarcely be said that 
