COMMON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. 
wound is protected by an aseptic dressing held 
in place by a bandage. 
Erysipelas, at one time regarded as an acute 
inflammation of the skin, is now attributed to 
the invasion of the system by the streptococcus 
pyogenes* which gains an entrance through 
wounds, and sometimes through scratches or 
punctures of the skin so tiny as to be almost im¬ 
perceptible to the naked eye. The disease is 
spread by means of small particles of desquamat¬ 
ing skin from the affected part floating in the air 
and by pus from the wound in some cases. It is 
carried from one person to another by actual 
contact, clothing, or other infected articles, such 
as bedding, towels, dressings, and anything used 
by patients. It may also be communicated by 
the hands of the physician or nurse or by instru¬ 
ments used in treating the case. All such outlets 
and inlets of this most mischievous germ must be 
well guarded by the nurse. Burn all old dress¬ 
ings immediately and use disinfectants rigidly 
throughout the case and at the close of the case. 
While the erysipelas germ is liable to attack 
wounds, the disease frequently appears where 
there is no perceptible wound. A rose-red blush 
of the skin is seen. The edges of the affected 
area are clearly distinct from the healthy sur¬ 
roundings. There is usually a swollen condition 
and the sick one complains of a tightness and 
stiffness in the diseased region. Erysipelas 
spreads rapidly when it attacks loose tissues, such 
as those of the face, and preventive applications 
♦When the streptococcus pyogenes invades the skin 
we have erysipelas; when it invades the blood, we 
have septicemia or “sepsis,” and other inflammations in 
which suppuration occurs. 
55 
Cause of 
Erysipelas. 
Channels 
of Outlet. 
