“Is it any more dangerous than to handle putrefied bodies of animals?”
“There is nothing more poisonous to human beings than decayed human flesh. The dissection of human bodies is one of the most dangerous occupations, for the reason that if the dissecting surgeon should cut himself with the dissecting knife, it is almost sure death.
“This knowledge has been made use of in a most wonderful way. You may, probably, know that various serums are used in the form of injections in order to cure malignant diseases. The curious fact is, that the putrefied body of a rabbit, if injected into a live rabbit, will kill the rabbit, but no other species of animal; and so the like, under those conditions, will destroy the like kind.
“Taking advantage of this knowledge, the bacteria of, say, diphtheria, is isolated—that is, separated from the matter in which it grows, and this is allowed to putrefy, and this serum, as it is called, when injected into a patient having diphtheria is virulent in its actions against the diphtheria in the blood of the sufferer, so that the germs of that disease are thereby destroyed.”
The situation at the cataract was now a most peculiar one. How long would the attitude of the savages be kept up? It is true they were not suffering for food, as that was easily obtainable, the large herd of yaks being at their command, and the garden in easy reach.
It was inconceivable that their enemies could hope to starve them into submission. The Professor and John pondered over the situation, and endeavored to explain the apathy of the Kurabus. Not a single hostile movement had been made after the first disastrous attack.
“It seems to be idle to speculate on what their intentions are,” said John. “We cannot afford to be cooped up here, when we should be in the field making some effort to rescue those in danger.”
“Why not make another attempt to get the two fellows into conversation, and let them know, finally, what our purpose is,” was Harry’s suggestion. “If we fail, let us attack them, and show that we are masters of the situation.”
“It is true that inaction on our part may be construed into weakness,” answered the Professor, “and Harry’s plan is certainly better than this sort of business.”
John again took up the questioning with the Saboro, and told him in as simple a manner as possible what to say to the Kurabu, and this information was imparted in detached sections for his easy comprehension.