PUTREFACTION.--Decomposition of nitrogenous organic matter brought about by micro-organisms and accompanied by a foul odor. R RESISTANCE.--See _Immunity_. RESPIRATORY TRACT.--The air passages, including the nose, mouth, larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, and lungs. S SAPROPHYTE.--A vegetable organism that lives on decaying organic matter. SARCINA.--Literally, a bundle. Applied to bacteria grouped in bundles or packets. SEPTIC.--Putrefying or decomposing; infected by pus-producing bacteria. SEQUELA.--A disease or unhealthy condition following another disease or unhealthy condition. SERUM.--The fluid which separates from the clot after blood has coagulated; especially, that containing an antitoxin. SEWAGE.--Any substance containing urine or fecal matter; also, the substance which passes through sewers. SPIRILLUM (pl. spirilla).--A variety of bacteria having spirally twisted cells. SPORE.--A resting stage, characterized by great resistance, into which certain germs enter when conditions become unfavorable for their growth. SPUTUM.--Spit; expectoration. STAPHYLOCOCCUS.--A variety of bacteria that group themselves in masses resembling bunches of grapes. STERILE.--Free from living germs; aseptic. STERILIZATION.--The process of rendering sterile. STERILIZE.--To render sterile. STREPTOCOCCUS.--A variety of bacteria that arrange themselves in chains. STUPE.--A cloth wrung out of hot water and applied to the surface of the body. SUSCEPTIBLE.--Lacking resistance to a disease. SUSCEPTIBILITY.--The condition in which resistance to a disease is low. T TETRAD.--A variety of bacteria that arrange themselves in groups of four. TISSUE.--A collection of cells having the same function. TOXIN.--A poison produced by the action of micro-organisms. U UNICELLULAR.--Composed of a single cell. UTERUS.--The womb. V VACCINATE.--To inoculate with a poison in order to bring about immunity to a disease. VACCINE.--Any substance which if introduced into the body causes the formation of protective substances. VOMITUS.--Vomited substances. INDEX A Abdomen, 68 Abdominal binder, 68 Action of drugs, 200 Adenoids, 284 Aged, care of, 303 Ailments and emergencies, 257 Air, 72 Alcohol, 160 Appliances, bed cradles, 173 bedpans, 176 rubber utensils, 138 Applications, local, 220 cold, dry, 231 cold, moist, 235 hot, dry, 225 bricks, 226 flannel, 226 salt or sand, 226 water bags, 225 hot, moist, 227 fomentations, 229 poultices, 227 stupes, 229 Attendant, 127 B Bacteria, 1, 4, 5 bacilli, 5 coccus, 4 effects produced by, 3 entrance into the body, 9 food of, 2 immunity, 13 in food, 19 in water, 19 methods of study, 1 motion, 5 origin of communicable diseases, 3 parasites, 3, 8 saprophytes, 2 shape, 4 spirillum, 4 spores, 7 structure and development, 4 where found, 8