RESISTANCE OF THE BODY gi 
becomes red, inflamed and sore, then a “fester” ap¬ 
pears. Open the “fester” and a drop or more of pus 
exudes, in the midst of which will probably be the 
irritating sliver. The bacteria, the cause of the inflam¬ 
mation, having passed out, the flesh heals. If there 
has been much bacterial growth there may be much 
or longer continued inflammation because of the tox- 
ines or poisonous matters produced by the germs. 
When certain very virulent germs enter the tissues, 
are unconquered either by the phagocytes or the other 
resisting powers of the body, the products of germ 
growth may be rapidly distributed by the blood 
throughout the body, producing the fatal cases of blood 
poisoning. The germ was especially virulent, in great 
numbers, or possibly neither of these, but the body was 
so “far below par” that it had no power to resist the 
growth and action of the germs and the toxines which 
the germs manufactured. 
That bacteria capable of producing disease in human 
beings are far more commonly present than the diseases 
cannot be doubted. Germs of pneumonia are found 
in the mouths of healthy persons. Some persons when 
exposed to infection succumb; others remain unaf¬ 
fected. The old saying that “lightning never strikes 
twice in the same place” has often been applied to the 
expressed fear of a recurrence of an infectious dis¬ 
ease. Although there are many exceptions to the rule, 
it is true, as we have said, that in a majority of cases 
after recovery from such a disease there is less dan- 
i 
Blood 
Poisoning: 
Germs 
Without 
Disease 
