292 PASTEUR: THE HISTORY OF A MIND 



merit with active interest, some even with passion. 

 In 1881 the science of microbes had scarcely any parti- 

 sans; many thought that the new doctrines were baleful, 

 and regarded it as an unexpected piece of good fortune 

 that had drawn Pasteur and his staff out of the labora- 

 tory to be confounded in the broad daylight of a public 

 experiment. They were going then with one blow 

 to put an end to these innovations, so compromising to 

 medicine, and to find again security in the same tradi- 

 tions and ancient practices, for a moment threatened! 



''In spite of all the excitement aroused by it, the 

 experiment followed its course; the trial inoculations 

 were made the 31st of May, and the rendezvous was 

 appointed for the second of June to determine the result. 

 Twenty-four hours before the time decided upon, Pasteur, 

 who had rushed into the public experiment with such per- 

 fect confidence, began to regret his audacity. For some 

 moments his faith was shaken, as though he feared the 

 experimental method might betray him. A mental ten- 

 sion too long continued had brought about this reaction, 

 which, however, did not last long. The next day, more 

 assured than ever, Pasteur went to verify the brilliant 

 success which he had predicted. In the multitude which 

 thronged that day at Pouilly-le-Fort, there were no 

 longer any who were incredulous; only admirers." 



This fine success^ did not immediately bring convic- 

 tion. He had to repeat the experiment in different 

 places in France and abroad, in order to convince those 

 who wished to touch and to see before believing. Noth- 

 ing can give an idea of the activity of Pasteur at this 

 time. To the life within the laboratory, which continued 



1 Fourteen days after the second vaccination the 50 animals were in- 

 oculated, all in the same way from the same virulent culture, and 2 days 

 later, as Pasteur had predicted, the 25 vaccinated animals were unharmed 

 and the 25 unvaccinated animals were dead. Trs. 



