HISTORY OF MICROBIOLOGY Q 



have been studied extensively and carried out on a scale never before 

 contemplated, and probably made possible only by war conditions. A 

 few of these may be mentioned as examples of the progress made: 

 the Dakin-Carrel treatment of septic wounds, the immunization of 

 troops against typhoid, tetanus and pneumonia; the increasing use, 

 improvement in manufacture and efficacy of protective and curative 

 sera and vaccines; the importance of the carrier in many infections, 

 and the means whereby he is dealt with, as instanced in the case of 

 infection with the meningococcus; the discovery of filtrable viruses as, 

 to quote the most recent (1919), the inciting agent of mumps. 



No one can deny that the progress of microbiology in the last fifty 

 years has been wonderful, and in the last few years extraordinary, but 

 much still remains unknown and new problems appear from time to 

 time. The etiology of certain diseases yet remain undiscovered. The 

 cause of the disease known as influenza which carried off so many in 

 the fall of 1918 remains as yet unknown although some reports of 

 alleged discoveries have been made. Trench fever is another example 

 of a problem suddenly appearing and necessitating instant solution. 

 'in the last few years a group of pleomorphic organisms have 

 been discovered, which are associated with typhus, Rocky 

 Mountain fever and trench fever. These organisms are carried by 

 insects but have not yet been cultivated." 



So also with other fields of research. Great progress has been made 

 in water and food microbiology; more attention is being paid to parasi- 

 tology; soil organisms and especially soil protozoa are receiving more 

 study and our technique has advanced with great strides. 



In short the work of the microbiologist has become of increasing 

 interest and importance in all lines of work. 



The record of past achievement is an inspiration; and the knowledge 

 that each discovery is the result of persistent and concentrated effort, 

 may give us of the present day firmer faith and greater strength for 

 work in the broad and inviting field outlined in this text book. 



