A LIMITED CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF ACUTE INFECTION OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT

Abstract

The common types of acute infection of the respiratory tract, both in the individual and the community at large, represent combined action on the part of groups of microorganisms. These groups can most profitably be considered to function as primary and secondary agents of infection. For complete understanding of respiratory infections, the interrelationship of activity between the 2 orders of infectious organisms must be worked out. It seems likely that the 2 most important types of primary acute respiratory infection are represented by coryza and by influenza. The etiological agent of the 1st has been proved to be a filterable virus, a part of whose action seems to be the promotion of secondary bacterial infection. Suggestive facts of a similar character have already been brought to light in the study of influenza. The number of biological types of such primary infective agents of the respiratory tract remains to be determined.