TUBERCULOSIS — DIPHTHERIA 263 



tunately, the germs of bovine tuberculosis can be kiUed by pas- 

 teurization of milk of doubtful purity. Tuberculosis is often com- 

 municated from a consumptive to a well person by kissing and by 

 using the same cup, plate, towels, or other unsterilized things used 

 by consumptives. 



Although there are always some tuberculoses germs in the dusty 

 air of an ordinary city street, and although we may take some of 

 these germs into our bodies at any time, yet the bacteria seem able 

 to gain a foothold only under certain conditions. In most persons 

 the body resists the invasion of these germs and they are killed 

 before they can do harm. It is only when the tissues are in a worn- 

 out condition, when we are ^' run down," as we say, that the par- 

 asite may obtain a foothold in the lungs or other organs. Even 

 if the disease gets a foothold, it is quite possible to cure it if it is 

 taken in time. The disease may be arrested, and a permanent 

 cure is often brought about, by a life in the open air, the patient 

 living and sleeping out of doors, taking plenty of nourishing food, 

 and very little exercise. The object of this kind of life is to build 

 up the body resistance, so that the germs are rendered incapable of 

 doing harm. 



Tuberculosis is a serious disease to combat, because of the con- 

 ditions which help to cause it. Contrary to common belief, it is 

 not inherited ; but unfortunately in families where there are tuber- 

 culous persons, it is difficult to prevent giving the germs to people 

 living with them, especially if they live in small crowded homes 

 with little ventilation. Children of tuberculous parents are often 

 handicapped by a weak constitution and are therefore more sus- 

 ceptible. Tuberculosis in the homes of the poor, therefore, is 

 more serious than in the homes of the well-to-do, because of 

 crowded surroundings and lack of proper conditions of rest, food, 

 and peace of mind for the patient. 



Diphtheria. — Of the many other diseases traced to bacteria, 

 diphtheria is one of the best known. It is caused by a germ which 

 grows rapidly in the throat and forms a false membrane there. 

 But the most serious results come from the toxin, which gets into 

 the blood and not only causes discomfort and fever but also may 

 have very serious after-effects on various body organs. As diph- 

 theria is a throat disease, it may easily be conveyed from one per- 



