INTRODUCTION xiii 



3. The microbe of an infectious disease culture, under certain 

 detrimental condition is attenuated in its pathogenic activity; 



from a virus it has become a vaccine. 



In an address delivered in Edinburgh by Sir James Simpson 



in 1853, in which he extolled the recent advancement of 

 physic, occur these words: — **I do not believe, that, at the 

 present moment, any individual in the profession, who, in 

 surgery or in midwifery, could point out some means of curing 

 — or some prophylactic means of averting by antecedent treat- 

 ment — the liability to these analogous or identical diseases — 

 viz., surgical or puerperal fever — such a fortunate individual 

 would, I say, make, in relation to surgery and midwifery, a 

 greater and more important discovery than could possibly be 

 attained by any other subject of investigation. Nor does such 

 a result seem hopelessly unattainable.'' Little did he think 

 that the fulfilment of these words was in the possession of a 

 young Englishman who had just gone to Edinburgh as an 

 assistant to his colleague. Professor Syme. Lister's recogni- 

 tion of the importance of Pasteur's studies led to the fulfilment 

 within this generation of the pious hope expressed by Simpson. 

 In Institutions and Hospitals surgical infection and puerperal 

 fovers are things of the past, and for this achievement if for 

 nothing else, the names of Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister 

 will go down to posterity among those of the greatest 

 benefactors of humanity. 



III. 



In his growth the man kept pace with the scientist — heart 

 and head held even sway in his life. To many whose estimate 

 of French character is gained from "yellow" literature this 

 story will reveal the true side of a great people, in whom filial 

 piety, brotherly solicitude, generosity, and self-sacrifice are 

 combined with a rare devotion to country. "Was there ever a 

 more charming picture than that of the family at Dole! 

 Napoleon's old sergeant, Joseph Pasteur, is almost as interest- 

 ing a character as his illustrious son; and we follow the joys 

 and sorrows of the home with unflagging attention. Rarely 



