In a previous communication¹ the general mechanism of acute bacterial infection of the body was extensively discussed. Infection exhibits itself: (1) as a more or less local lesion with general manifestations derived from the absorption of toxins from bacteria, or (2) as a generally similar entity with which a bacteriemia or general blood infection is associated. In this communication I will discuss the general principles underlying the treatment of acute bacterial infection from the surgical standpoint, and will pay especial attention to the group of cases in which bacteriemia or general blood infection is demonstrable.

CLINICAL CLASSIFICATIONSÌý Blood cultivations of the peripheral blood can be employed in cases of acute infection for the following purposes: (a) in appropriate cases as an additional means of differential diagnosis; (b) as a means by which the severity of the infection can be gaged; (c) as a help in estimating the prognosis and