(For complete definitions of the following words the student is referred to general and scientific dictionaries)
Antiseptic.—A substance which prevents or hinders the growth of micro-organisms.
Antitoxin.—A substance that neutralizes the action of a toxin.
Aseptic.—Free from living germs.
Axilla.—The armpit.
Bacillus(pl. bacilli).—A rod-shaped or elongated bacterium.
Bacterial.—Relating to bacteria.
Bactericide.—An agent having the power to destroy bacteria.
Bacteriological.—Relating to bacteriology.
Bacteriology.—The science dealing with microorganisms.
Bacterium(pl. bacteria).—A unicellular vegetable micro-organism.
Carrier.—An apparently healthy person who harbors pathogenic germs in his body.
Coccus(pl. cocci).—A bacterium of spherical or nearly spherical shape.
Counter-irritant.—A substance or agent which if applied to the skin causes irritation and thereby relieves an abnormal condition in another part of the body.
Degeneration.—A deterioration in cells or tissues of the body so that they become less able to perform their proper functions.
Degenerative.—Pertaining to degeneration.
Deodorant.—An agent that destroys odors.
Digestive Tract.—The entire alimentary canal, including the mouth, œsophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines.
Diplococcus.—A form of coccus in which two individuals remain attached after cell division has taken place.
Disinfect.—To destroy the germs of disease.
Disinfectant.—An agent that destroys the germs of disease.
Disinfection.—The process of destroying the germs of disease.
Emetic.—A substance used to induce vomiting.
Enema.—An injection of fluid into the rectum.
Fecal.—Pertaining to feces.
Feces.—Matter discharged from the bowels; bowel movement.
Fermentation.—Decomposition produced in an organic substance by the action of certain living agents.
Fission.—The process by which a cell divides into two parts.
Flagellum(pl. flagella).—A long hair-like appendage, by the action of which certain micro-organisms are enabled to move.
Flex.—To bend at a joint.
Fomentation.—SeeStupe.
Gastric Juice.—The fluid secreted by the glands of the stomach.
Germ.—A minute unicellular organism, either animal or vegetable; a micro-organism; a microbe.
Germicide.—An agent having the power to kill germs.
Host.—An animal or plant in or upon which another organism lives.
Immune.—Not susceptible to a particular disease; also, a person who is not susceptible to a particular disease.
Immunity.—The state in which an individual is not susceptible to a particular disease.
Immunize.—To render immune.
Incubation.—The interval between exposure to an infectious disease and the first appearance of symptoms.
Infect.—To communicate disease germs.
Infection.—An agent by which disease may be communicated from one individual to another; also, an infectious disease.
Inoculate.—To introduce any biological product directly into the tissues of the body.
Inoculation.—The process of inoculating.
Intestinal Tract.—The small and large intestines.
Microbe.—SeeGerm.
Micro-organism.—SeeGerm.
Mucus.—The substance secreted by mucous membranes.
Mucous Membranes.—The membranes lining certain cavities of the body, especially the digestive and respiratory tracts.
Nutrient.—One of several chemical groups to which the essential constituents of food belong.
Organic.—Derived from or relating to an organism.
Organism.—An individual that is or has been alive.
Parasite.—An individual that lives in or upon another individual.
Pasteurization.—The process of pasteurizing.
Pasteurize.—To subject milk to a temperature of 142°-145° Fahrenheit for thirty minutes.
Pathogenic.—Disease-producing.
Pertussis.—Whooping-cough.
Proteid.—One of the complex nitrogenous substances constituting the essential parts of animal and vegetable tissues.
Protozoön(pl. protozoa).—An animal organism composed of a single cell.
Pus.—The fluid product of inflammation; matter.
Putrefaction.—Decomposition of nitrogenous organic matter brought about by micro-organisms and accompanied by a foul odor.
Resistance.—SeeImmunity.
Respiratory Tract.—The air passages, including the nose, mouth, larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, and lungs.
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.
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.
Unicellular.—Composed of a single cell.
Uterus.—The womb.
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.