122 
BACTERIOLOGY. 
patients having the disease. One attack usually con¬ 
fers immunity. In preventing the spread of the dis¬ 
ease it is important to isolate the patient and disinfect 
the bedding, clothing, and apartments. Particular at¬ 
tention should be given to the extermination of lice 
and ticks. 
Vincent’s Angina. 
This is an infectious disease of the gums, mouth, 
or throat, characterized by the formation of a mem¬ 
brane which may be identical with the diphtheritic 
membrane, or by ulcerations which have a punched-out 
appearance. In smears made from the membranes or 
ulcers, large, fusiform bacilli, broad in the middle, with 
tapering ends and long spirilla, are constantly found 
and are supposed to be the cause of the infection. It is 
the belief now that the spirilla are but a later stage 
in the development of the fusiform bacilli. As 
both forms are difficult to cultivate, the diagnosis must 
be made by examining smears made directly from the 
throat. These organisms may be present with the 
bacilli of true diphtheria, and are said to aggravate 
the infection. (See Fig. 12, page 93.) 
The disease is usually mild and responds fairly 
promptly to local treatment, but in some cases where 
the nature of the infection has not been recognized and 
properly treated, the ulceration and destruction of 
tissue in the throat may be extensive. It is spread 
directly from person to person through the secretions 
from the mouth. The danger of becoming infected 
is not great. 
