New-York tribune., 1909-07-04

limited period after the patient is apparently we'll"
Dr.. Simon FIexner. head Of the Rockefeller In
sLtute. in article In THE Popular Science
Monthly" for July, speaks of the intermittent and
constant presence Of disease germs IN the human
Fystem. lie says:
The intestinal mucous membrane supports rich
and varied bacterial fora. among which are several
potentially harmful species and sometimes.
under conditions of health. the bacilll OF typhoid
fever, CT dysentery and IN regions IN which cholera
IS endemic or during its epidemics. OF cholera"
Dr.. Thomas S. Southworth. in a paper read be
fore the eighteenth annual meeting Of the American
Pedistric Society told Of Brooklyn ycungster IN
der two years Of age. and not known 20 have
typhoid who gave fatal dose OF the disease to his
mother, infected two sisters and then, being taken
10 live with a New York family conlmunIca ted the
disease to three children OF that family. The infan-
tile typhoid carrier was finally taken 10 a hospital
and a specimen OF his blood reported by the
Health Department show "a positive Vidal reac-
tion, thus proving him have had typhoid fever
some time in the past" Dr. Southworth said e
Since the establishment Of the Royal Ipstitu-
tlons for Bacteriologicsl Research. which have
taken up the study and control OF typhoid In
tain districts Of Germany evidence is rapidly ap-
pearing OF the spread Of typhoid by persons long
convalescent. who are technically spoken Of
as bacillus carriers These defined those
whose excTeta contain the baciIli after ten weeks
from the beginning Of the Illness. or from the be-
ginning of the last relapse LentZ, at Trler, dis
covered twenty-five typhoid carriers, TO seven OF
whom other cases, often multiple. were traced. A
Besserer and J. JaTe found typhoid bacilli from
four persons who had had typhoid three months.
six months, four years and seven years previously.
Seige. also. who states that contact infection from
these IS coming more and moro into proml-
nence. reports two especially interesting cases IN
which mothers having had typhoid and living there
after under circumstances which apparently pre-
cluded Teiafecon, infected their children two years
and ten years later. Furthermore V. Drisalski
and Conradi have demonstrated the bacili as COM
ing from four persons who remained entirely well
after exposure typhoid Such reports, which
could be multiplied suffice 70 encourage the belief
that continued search and newer methods yet 10
be devised may show that the bacilli persist even
less exceptionally than Is believed their per-
sistence being due either 20 chronic infection OF
the gan bladder to intestinal conditions
Offering favorable medium for their growth.
The infectious character OF many urines dur
ing convalescence from typhoid is well established.
Many investigators have worked in this held- Thus
far 1t would appear that typhoid bacilli may be
found in about per cent OF the cases.
Richardson's conservative statement is that they
may persist for weeks, occasionally for months.
rarely for years When present the bacilli
are usually in pure culture and enormous numbers.
Fetruschky, previously quoted, estimated them in
one case 10 be I72.eO0coe in one cubic centimere"
These bscilH also persist in pus FOR a year
more and IN the sputurl of patients having
plicating bronchitis pneumonia Seven weeks is
the longest period recorded in the latter case.
II Is stated that typhoid carriers may give the
disease BY coughing and sneezing some germs are
found IN perspiration. European observers dis
covered that per cent of 1,7se examined
/ typhoid carriers.
The story OF the capture OF Mary MzIlon, or,
rather, the medical detective work involved in
establishing her standing as q champion typhoid
dissegninat tor-twent cases is her reeord-is
almost exctingIy interesting Typhoid Mary
gave me disease to all kinds OF persons OF high