130 LOUIS PASTEUR 



races planted with mulberry trees even to the sum- 

 mit of the mountain. These men in spite of the 

 fatigue due to their rough work were then contented 

 and happy because plenty reigned in their domestic 

 firesides. 



"To-day the mulberry plantations are entirely 

 abandoned; the tree of gold no longer enriches the 

 country, and the faces formerly happy are now 

 downcast and sad. Where abundance once reigned 

 there is now poverty and distress." 



There were all sorts of theories as to the cause 

 of the disease. All sorts of treatment were tried 

 in vain. The unfortunate worms were dusted with 

 ashes and charcoal, treated with chlorine gas and 

 with fumes of nitric and sulphuric acid, sprinkled 

 with rum, sugar, and quinine, and doped with creo- 

 sote and copperas. Remedies of reputed efficacy 

 were sold to the luckless growers, only to be used 

 without the slightest success. There was nothing 

 but groping in darkness and the empirical trial of 

 remedies much after the style of old-fashioned 

 medical practice upon afflicted humanity. 



Pasteur, in his characteristic fashion, went 

 straight after the cause of the disease. This must 

 first be discovered beyond all else. When the 

 cause is known, he thought, we shall at least know 



