Julie Elliott, age 16, of Longview, Wash., for her question:

WHAT CAUSES AN ABSCESS?

An abscess is pus that is surrounded by irritated body tissue. It is caused by bacteria. The most common bacteria that can cause an abscess 1s the staphyloccoccus.
At times bacteria can enter the body and can be carried by the blood to soma weakened spot. There the bacteria will feed on and destroy the tissues, multiplying rapidly. The body, getting ready for a "war," will bring white blood cells to attack the germs.
As the white blood cells attack the bacteria, pus is formed. This is the abscess. It contains dead germs and blood cell:, destroyed tissue and liquid from the blood.
Some abscesses in the akin are called pimples. Larger ones are often called boils. Some abscesses can form deep in body organs.
Doctors sometimes use drugs to get rid of abscesses. Other tines they find it necessary to open the abscess with surgery to get rid of the pus.