SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
223 
stages the excretions are not extensively charged with infectious 
germs, we become convinced that the dissemination of the dis¬ 
ease through the medium of respiration is very rare, In those 
cases wheie the disease is manifest in the chest cavity, we find 
it usually in the miliary form, due possibly to the fact that the 
disease has not reached its more advanced stage wherein the 
nodules become conglomerated and unite to form larger masses. 
In the lung substance we find small necrotic patches of tuber¬ 
cular products, which often in the process of development be¬ 
come converted into purulent matter, coalescing with surround¬ 
ing necrotic patches to form large tubercular abscesses destroying 
more or less of the lung tissue. 
When the germs of tuberculosis are introduced into the sys¬ 
tem by means of the ingesta they become transmitted through 
the intestinal walls in the absorbent process, large numbers of 
adult bacilli, no doubt, are destroyed by the secretions of the 
stomach, leaving; only the spores to escape into the bowels for 
absorption. This absorption takes place by means of the lac- 
teals 01 venous circulation of the portal system. Immediately 
upon the advent of the germs a conflict ensues between the in¬ 
vaders and the phagocytes of the intestinal apparatus. The mi¬ 
crophages, which comprise the white globules of the blood and a 
part of the lymphatic corpuscles, leave their vessels by diaped- 
esis, and by virtue of their amoeboid movements station them¬ 
selves throughout the invaded tissue and begin active battle 
with the enemy. They seize the germs, englobulate them and 
attempt to kill, digest or break them up. This destructive or 
digestive action is usually performed in some of the deeper 
lymphatic organs where the phagocytes receive strength and 
support by the peculiar function of the lymph glands. Once the 
invaders become englobulated the phagocytes make their course 
directly to these deeper organs to complete the destruction, 
which is done by the action of their secretions. Durino- this 
transportation the secretions of the microbe often become too 
severe for the phagocytes, causing them to become sick, weak¬ 
ened, and relaxed, and finally succumb to the action of the mi¬ 
cro ic secretion, the protoplasm loses its continuity and dis¬ 
solves itself, thereby liberating the invading germs. This 
dissolution of the phagocytes often takes place in the interior 
ot glands, whence they went to conclude the conflict. The lib¬ 
erating of the germ in a new field makes possible a new seat of 
infection, when the liberated germs have yet sufficient vitality 
o grow, and when the weakened or dead microphage is not 
