136 BACTERIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



of influenza which sometimes sweep over a whole 

 country in a few days, and over almost the whole 

 globe in a season, are still matters of considerable 

 doubt. The fact that B. influemoe possesses so 

 little resistance to drying and does not grow out- 

 side of the human body does not coincide with the 

 rapidity of the epidemics. The fine droplets of mu- 

 cus expelled by sneezing and coughing would seem 

 to be the source of infection, but how they are trans- 

 mitted such distances and develop in so short a time 

 remain to be explained. 



Patients suffering with influenza should be iso- 

 lated from other members of the family. Particular 

 attention should be given to the disinfection of 

 dishes, utensils, and Hnen. All mouth sponges, 

 handkerchiefs, and old linen used to receive nasal 

 and bronchial discharges should be burned at once. 



An attack of influenza is said to impart a transient 

 immunity, but it is of such short duration as to be 

 very insignificant. 



Influenza in Animals. — No typical attacks of 

 influenza have been reproduced by the inoculation of 

 animals. Monkeys and rabbits are the only animals 

 showing any significant symptoms. 



Pseudo-influenza Bacilli. — Several bacilli have 

 been observed and described which bear a strong 



