Phagocytosis. 



BACTERIOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL. 



genito-urinary tract, is due to the acids thrown 

 off from the vaginal walls and the irrigation 

 due to voiding of urine. 



The discovery of the province of the phago- 

 cytes we have already stated is due to the 

 researches of Metchnikoff of the Pasteur 

 Institute, Paris.- The phagocytes are in reality 

 contained in the leucocytes or white corpuscles 

 of the blood. Metchnikoff was the first to dis- 

 cover and demonstrate and announce that these 

 cells of the body have the power not only to 

 devour pathogenic bacteria, but also to destroy 

 and digest them after they are devoured. Metch- 

 nikoff also asserts that the leucocytes have 

 the power to excrete germicidal substances 

 into the plasma and serum of the blood giving 

 to the serum greater power as a germicide than 

 it is known to possess normally. Metchnikoff 

 also believes that the phagocytes, the name he 

 has given to the leucocytes, may also absorb 

 the poisons or toxins of pathogenic bacteria, 

 and in some manner cause these to be harmless. 



Other theories concerning substances said 

 to be contained in the healthy human body, 

 which by their action render us immune or 

 protected from the inroads of disease germs, 

 present difficulties too great for students just 

 beginning to look into the science of bacte- 

 riology, and are really of more benefit to 

 physicians than to nurses. In our work, we 

 S6 



