WHAT ARE BACTERIA?

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11, 17 March 1906, Page 63

WHAT ARE BACTERIA?

WHaT IS AN ANTISEPTIC? By I). WATSON. L.D.S., 1»1i.C., K.C.S.Eng., Lon. The vaguest and drollest notions about thene subjects are current amongst the public at large. Some people imagine that in the air of towns millions and millions of infectious germs swim about, only waiting for some man to inhale them that they may devour him like a delicacy. Others are completely incredulous, paying no attention at all to this latest scientific “invention.” for which reason they, neglect the commonest rules of hygienic precaution. The truth

lies, of course, somewhere in the middle. It has lieen indisputably demonstrated that a very large number of human maladies, and in particular some of the most dangerous, are occasioned by these

micro-organisms. For this reason it is desirable for every one who desires to live long and in good health to see what his dealings with these enemies of mankind are. and how he can best arm himself against them. To encourage people to do this is the aim of these lines. The name bacteria, though commonly used for all kinds of microbes or micro-organisms, properly belongs to a certain class of these microscopic organisms.

As the illustrations show, microbes have very different forms. Those which have the shape of short, thick little sticks are called Bacteria (1). Others, longer, and

of more slender shape, are named Bacilli (2). Cocci have the shape of bullets (3). Spirochaetae are long and twisted, like corkscrews (4). Vibrlones and Spirilla have a spiral form (5). The hair-like appendages, which microbes use as oars, are called Cilla («). The multiplication of microbes takes place hi this way: As soon as the micro-organism has attained a certain size it divides into two. The two new organisms ‘•re either

free, or remain near together in some particular patches, or groups result, pun smnojo;) inq-j os'nwnnd Among the Cocci we distinguish groups shaded like a bunch of grapes. Staphylococci (3): groups in chains, ! groups in pairs. Diplococci

Streptococci (7): (8): and groups

like a bundle. Sareinae (9). We know that microbes, and more particularly pathogenous microbes (those that cause maladies), require for their nourishment damp animal or vegetable products. None of them can live on air: they are very sensitive to cold: cleanliness is an abomination to them: warmth (particularly the temperature of the blood which they Hud in the mouth. 98.4 Fahrenheit) is their element. and the mouth their favourite dwell-ing-place. It is unfortunate that these facts are so little realised by the public. Were they duly appreciated, how much ill-health might be avoided! An impure mouth in which decomposing matter is to be found is a regular microbe rest, in which whole

-uriit- re»i, iii wmen wnoie generations of them are produced and flourish. Here they settle permanently in diseased gums ami in the diseased dental substance of decayed teeth, whence they proceed into the cranial cavities, into the inner

<. i • ipmvwri i Him Muiiirn, iiiiA> inc iniivr par ami the salivary glands. into the lungs. and even into the blood and the vascular system. The transference of pathogenous microbes usually takes place directly from one individual to another, and in most cases in small portions of saliva, which in coughing, sneezing, spitting, or even during speaking, are scattered in the surrounding air, and then «übseqneiitly brought into direct contact with 1 he mucous membrane of the month or of the nasal ducts of others. Amongst dis eases which are spread by the distribution of saliva we must assign the tirst place to

Infiuenxa, Diphtheria. Inflammation of the Lungs. Tuberculosis. Leprosy, and the Plague, to which we may probably add Scarlet Fever and Measles. Infectious saliva of this kind must be expected from impure and uncared-for mouths. In fact, every man who does not practice scrupulous cleanliness of the mouth—this can never be too often repeated—is an El-Dorado for microbes. an ideal incubator of all kinds of

organisms. His mouth provides everything which specialists, who breed microbes 4 for scientific experiments, " aim at artificially procuring in their incubators. Here is ’ the moisture, here are the

organic substances, small and Spirilla fragments of food. which serve to nourish microbes: here is the idea temperature of 98.4 Fahrenheit. It is to be regretted that neither laws nor morals forbid impurity of the mouth tn the Interests of public* health. Perhaps we shall some day come to that. In the meantime It 1r a safe rule for self-preservation not to come within three steps of a man who has an impure mouth. It must be admitted that this is not always possible, and for that reason wc* must arm oursm’ves against the inevitable microbe* as well as we can. To do this is in one way simple, because, except in the cas»» of wounds, there is only one principal entrance into the body—that of the mouth and the pharynx. We must therefore so prepare our mouths that the microbes may not be able to Nourish in them

This can be effected only by destroying in the month the nutritive substances on which they live. and so starving them to death. This is called nntisentic

i nis is caned antiseptic • Spirochaetae cleansing. ami the substances used for this purpose are named an tisepties. cleansing, and the substances used for this purpose ar o named antiseptics. Many germs. and especially those which destroy tin* teeth, flourish only upon fragments of food, and furnish the acids in the mouth which are so deleterious to the teeth. Other injurious microbes, ami amongst them those especially which occasion the most dangerous diseases, attach themselves particularly to the excretions of the mucous membrane (the mucous membrane is constantly throwing off dead epithelial cells which form mucous deposits in the mouth). For this reason it is abso lute’y necessary that remains of food and the excretions of the mucous membrane should be removed by brushing ami rinsing. But most important of n>’ are regular anti

septic rinsings of the mouth . and teeth. Hollow teeth must. J of course. be stopped by the dentist.

The general neglect of antiseptic cleansing of the mouth seems incredible when wo consider how long all these facts have been known. It is impossible to point out too often that the mouth should be at least twice or thrice dally rinsed with an antiseptic mouth wash. The new liquid dentifrice, Odol. has be-ui demonstrated to be the best of antisonth* mouth washes, as has been acknowledged by the greatest specialists. It is important that the teeth should be daily attended to regularly with an ant inept i • liquid dentifrice. The ordinary cleansing with tooth-powder or tooth-paste fails to accomplish its end. as the most dangerous foci of liecomposition, the backs of the molars and hollow teeth. remain uncleansed. Odol has been proved to have an abso’utely certain antiseptic effect. it cleanses the mouth ami teeth perfectly from

products of decomposition. Klnsinjr tin* mouth with Odo! is performed in tile following manner: First of all a mouthful of Odol water is held in the mouth for

...... ■ ,c. ~, i.i 111 I lie lIKHIIII 9 Sarclmie two or throe minutes so that the Odol antiseptic may be everywhere well absorbed: a second mouth ful is used to rinse the whole mouth, being driven energetically backwards and forwards through the teeth: and the whole process is concluded with gargling. This daily antiseptic cleansing is by far more important than regular washing of the hands and face. For this reason I s *rious|y and earnestly recommend everyone to accustom himself to a careful and regular cleansing of the mouth with Odol.