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74
proportion of the infection from him be destroyed.
Add to these the natural precautions that his
clothes, his person, and belongings of all kinds be
kept clean, that his habitation be well ventilated
and dry, and generally that his surroundings be in
accordance with the laws of hygiene, and a further
powerful agent will be created to prevent him
spreading the disease.
But besides setting a boundary to the dissemination
of infection from the patient, it is necessary to
set one round the "whole" individuals, whereby
any infection escaping the confines of the former
may be prevented from doing the latter any harm.
Such line of defence will be the observance of the
natural laws of health. Clean, airy homes, on dry
sites, in situations where the light and air of heaven
can gain access to all parts, healthy surroundings in
the day's labours, wholesome relaxation and exercise
of mind and body, with decent food—will
enable any chance invasion of infection to be
received with almost certain immunity.
There remains yet one more question, namely,
that of heredity. The disease is not inherited, i.e.,
the bacillus, the essential factor of the disease,
is not transmitted from parent to offspring. What
is inherited is an enfeebled constitution specially
prone to fall a victim to the first infection with the
bacillus. In the case of such an individual the