96 LOUIS PASTEUR 



and sealed again with the most careful precau- 

 tions. In a few days the investigators were re- 

 warded by finding all of their flasks turbid and 

 teeming with life. Even the purest air of the moun- 

 tains, Pouchet triumphantly claimed, is capable of 

 generating life in putrescible material. 



Here we have a most curious situation! Differ- 

 ent investigators of high standing and unquestioned 

 integrity performing what they deemed to be the 

 same experiment under as nearly as possible the 

 same conditions arrive at diametrically opposite 

 results. What is the explanation? Who is right? 

 Did Pouchet and his adherents commit some ex- 

 perimental error which allowed germs to gain en- 

 trance without their knowledge into their infusions? 



In order to resolve this apparent deadlock Joly 

 and Musset made the fair and reasonable proposal 

 that the Academy of Sciences appoint a commis- 

 sion, before whom both parties to the controversy 

 should repeat their experiments. Pasteur, con- 

 vinced of the truth of his position, readily acceded 

 to this proposal. The Academy therefore ap- 

 pointed five men, Flourens, Dumas, Brongniart, 

 Milne-Edwards, and Balard. Pasteur wished the 

 discussion to occur as soon as possible, but his 

 opponents plead for delay on account of the cool- 



