SEPSIS—ASEPSIS—ANTISEPSIS. 
from acute abscesses, but are less virulent than 
the staphylococcus pyogenes aureus. 
Streptococcus Pyogenes. One of the most fre¬ 
quent causes of peritonitis after surgical opera¬ 
tions (post operative peritonitis) is said to be the 
germ streptococcus pyogenes. It is found also 
in puerperal endometritis (inflammation of the 
mucous membrane lining the uterus after a child 
is born) ; in ulcerative endocarditis (inflamma¬ 
tion of the membrane lining the heart accompa¬ 
nied by ulceration), and is also believed to be the 
cause of general septicaemia (general poisoning 
of the system due to bacteria in the blood). 
Diplococcus Pneumonia. This micro-organ¬ 
ism, or germ, is found in empyema (formation 
of pus in a cavity), and in acute abscesses. 
Bacillus Tetani. Surgeons always fear the 
bacillus of tetanus in accidental wounds, particu¬ 
larly those which have been exposed to danger 
of infection from the dust of streets, stables, or 
cellars. 
Sepsis, Asepsis and Antisepsis. Sepsis is 
the result of the gathering of bacteria into the 
blood. Bacteria, as we have already said in a 
previous chapter, is the name given by scientists 
to the large field or group of vegetable micro¬ 
organisms we commonly hear spoken of as 
“germs” or “microbes.” 
We have also said that there are special bac¬ 
teria for special diseases, as for example the “ba¬ 
cillus typhosus” in typhoid fever. In tuberculosis 
the “bacillus tuberculosis,” etc. The shape of the 
bacteria in many instances giving to it its name, 
viz.: bacillus, “rod-shaped or pencil-like,” spirilla, 
“twisted or curved,” cocci or micro-cocci, 
69 
The Cause 
of Sepsis. 
