Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 77.djvu/69

Rh case of the presence of bacteria, they are at once detected by this bodily consciousness, though the higher consciousness is unaware of their presence. The agencies within the blood, capable of destroying the germs and of neutralizing their poisons, are set to work at high pressure. To 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 characteristically 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 individual, 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 persons, 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 substances 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