NATURE OF DISEASE AND OF ITS CURE 63 
case of the presence of bacteria, they are at once detected by this bodily 
consciousness, though the higher consciousness is unaware of their pres- 
ence. The agencies within the blood, capable of destroying the germs 
and of neutralizing their poisons, are set to work at high pressure. ‘T’o 
the higher consciousness and to the observing mind of another person 
these efforts become apparent in higher bodily temperature (fever), a 
more rapid pulse and increased respiration. The bodily machinery is 
stirred to higher activity, its fires are heightened, and its organs are 
quickened. Germ-destroying substances are being made in greatest 
possible amount. The “signs and symptoms” of the disease, or these 
outward manifestations of internal activity, differ with the kind of 
germs and with their numbers, the body working more or less character- 
istically in each case, so that for each germ the “ symptoms and signs ” 
are an index to the cause. 
Such a disease or body-fight must “run its course,’ and, no matter 
what the treatment, that course can at best only be shortened, or the 
struggle of the body with its enemy made less exhausting by help from 
without. Where the number of bacteria is large or especially vicious, 
or where the bodily powers are inadequate for promptly developing its 
resisting powers, the fight of the body may be of no avail, even with the 
most skillful aid. On the other hand, if the bacteria are few and the 
bodily powers are vigorous, the patient will recover even with the most 
absurd treatment. It is easy to see why the medicine man of primitive 
society and the miracle workers of a later age often succeeded in 
“ driving out” disease and in effecting apparently marvelous cures. 
After once having an infectious disease, such as typhoid, or measles, 
the body is often exempt from an attack by the same germ. We now 
know it is not because of special divine favor bestowed upon the indi- 
vidual, but because the body, after passing through one struggle with 
the bacteria, keeps on hand afterwards a defensive material which 
quickly destroys any germs of the same kind which find an entrance. 
Even in times of epidemics and among those associated with the sick, 
a certain number of persons always escape without serious signs of the 
prevailing disease. While the germs no doubt often attack such per- 
sons, their protective powers are so perfect that the machinery of the 
body does not have to be put at work in such a degree as to produce any 
conscious outward signs of the disease. 
For some of these bacterial invasions modern medicine has invented 
the wonderful expedient of producing, in other animals, similar sub- 
stances to those which the human body manufactures in its fight against 
the germs. By inoculating these into the human body the microbes 
can be prevented from gaining a lodgment, or the body can be greatly 
aided in its fight against them. Although the body can be thus 
aided in diphtheria and meningitis, for the attacks of most germs it 
