That New Germ

According to a statement made
by two French bacteriologists, the
influenza germ is a real person, with an
identity of its own, but it is too small
to be seen, even with a microscope.
They know that it is there, because
they have tried it on a monkey and a
man, and it works. These gentlemen
can tell by the results accomplished
that a new germ has sprung into being,
has awoke in the cold gray dawn of an
autumn to find itself famous. A few
months ago nobody knew about it. It
was doing its humble duty without
recognition. Now it has become familiar
in every household. Such is the power
of advertising.
Although too small to be easily recognized
from across the street, it has a
well developed system of its own and
habits thoroughly individualized by long
practice. You may not be able to see it,
but you know that it is there. It is
unmistakably on the job.
It is necessary for the bacteriologists
to discover a new germ every once in
a while, merely to keep their hands in.
If they didn't do this their business
would suffer. When they do it everyone
else suffers. But that is part of
the game.
It is often times superfluous to be
known personally in order to get your
best results. The influenza germ is not
armed with any letters of introduction.
He comes in quietly and unostentatiously.
Modest to the degree of being
invisible, he sets about his life work
with undiminished enthusiasm and
energy. No one can say of him that
he is a slacker.