万物简史 第452期:小生物的世界(23)

 Since then further research has shown that there is or may well be a bacterial¹ component² in all kinds of other disorders³, 自那以来，进一步的研究表明，在所有别的疾病，

heart disease, asthma⁴, arthritis⁵, multiple sclerosis, several types of mental disorders, many cancers, even, it has been suggested (in Science no less), obesity⁶. 心脏病、哮喘、关节炎、多发姓硬化、几种精神病、多种癌症，甚至有人提出（反正在《科学》杂志上是这样写的）糖尿病——中，都有或很可能有某种细菌的份儿。

The day may not be far off when we desperately⁷ require an effective antibiotic⁸ and haven't got one to call on. 我们迫切需要而又弄不到一种有效的抗生素的日子也许已经为期不远。

It may come as a slight comfort to know that bacteria can themselves get sick. 我们知道细菌本身也会得病，这也许是个稍稍的安慰。

They are sometimes infected by bacteriophages (or simply phages), a type of virus. 它们有时候会被一种名叫噬菌体的病毒所侵染。

A virus is a strange and unlovely entity—"a piece of nucleic acid surrounded by bad news" in the memorable⁹ phrase of the Nobel laureate Peter Medawar. 病毒是一种古怪而又讨厌的实体——用诺贝尔奖获得者彼得·梅达沃的话来说——是“身边都是坏消息的一点儿核酸”。

Smaller and simpler than bacteria, viruses aren't themselves alive. 病毒比细菌还小，还简单，本身没有生命。

In isolation¹⁰ they are inert¹¹ and harmless. 在孤立状态中，病毒是中性的，没有害处。

But introduce them into a suitable host and they burst into busyness—into life. 但是，要是进入一个适当的寄主，它们就马上忙个不停——有了生命。

About five thousand types of virus are known, and between them they afflict¹² us with many hundreds of diseases, 已知的病毒大约有5000种，它们致使我们患好几百种疾病，

ranging from the flu and common cold to those that are most invidious to human well-being¹³: 从流行性感冒和普通感冒，到对人类健康极其有害的疾病：

smallpox¹⁴, rabies, yellow fever, ebola, polio, and the human immunodeficiency virus, the source of AIDS. 天花、狂犬病、黄热病、伊波拉病、脊髓灰质炎和艾滋病。

1 bacterial   

a.细菌的

参考例句：

• Bacterial reproduction is accelerated in weightless space. 在失重的空间，细菌繁殖加快了。
• Brain lesions can be caused by bacterial infections. 大脑损伤可能由细菌感染引起。

2 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

3 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 asthma   

n.气喘病，哮喘病

参考例句：

• I think he's having an asthma attack.我想他现在是哮喘病发作了。
• Its presence in allergic asthma is well known.它在过敏性气喘中的存在是大家很熟悉的。

5 arthritis   

n.关节炎

参考例句：

• Rheumatoid arthritis has also been linked with the virus.风湿性关节炎也与这种病毒有关。
• He spent three months in the hospital with acute rheumatic arthritis.他患急性风湿性关节炎，在医院住了三个月。

6 obesity   

n.肥胖，肥大

参考例句：

• One effect of overeating may be obesity.吃得过多能导致肥胖。
• Sugar and fat can more easily lead to obesity than some other foods.糖和脂肪比其他食物更容易导致肥胖。

7 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

8 antibiotic   

adj.抗菌的；n.抗生素

参考例句：

• The doctor said that I should take some antibiotic.医生说我应该服些用抗生素。
• Antibiotic can be used against infection.抗菌素可以用来防止感染。

9 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

10 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

11 inert   

adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的

参考例句：

• Inert gas studies are providing valuable information about other planets,too.对惰性气体的研究，也提供了有关其它行星的有价值的资料。
• Elemental nitrogen is a very unreactive and inert material.元素氮是一个十分不活跃的惰性物质。

12 afflict   

vt.使身体或精神受痛苦，折磨

参考例句：

• I wish you wouldn't afflict me with your constant complains.我希望你不要总是抱怨而使我苦恼。
• There are many illnesses,which afflict old people.有许多疾病困扰着老年人。

13 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

14 smallpox   

n.天花

参考例句：

• In 1742 he suffered a fatal attack of smallpox.1742年，他染上了致命的天花。
• Were you vaccinated against smallpox as a child?你小时候打过天花疫苗吗？