Sanitary Reform. 477 



Hence, the fact is apparent that these minute organisms 

 are always present in the air, in a dormant condition — not 

 dead, but ready to spring into Hfe upon iinding a proper 

 situation. 



One fact more. I will not fail to speak of it, even at 

 the risk of repetition. 



It seems that many of these " germs," like so large a 

 proportion of all insect life, undergo certain transforma- 

 tions. 



Thus, tlie germs of small pox and scarlet fever are per- 

 fected in the sick person, and ready to infect the well 

 person witliout further change ; but the " germs " of the 

 cholera and typhoid fever need undergo some change before 

 they become infectious. 



I have not attempted to draw a fanciful picture, and I think 

 I have said no more than the researches of living and live 

 observers will justify. 



It is not likely that any one present will claim to be 

 ignorant of what constitute good sanitary conditions. 

 And, if there is any lack of knowledge, it will be in the 

 •direction of not fully appreciating the deleterious effects 

 of the foul emanations from cess-pools, damp cellars and 

 badly constructed drains. In line, we need to fear that 

 every bad odor may be freighted with the seeds of some 

 terribly fatal disease. 



When the Doctor closed. Prof. Seely asked him if the 

 germ in typhoid fever could be detected by the physicians ? 



Dr. Wiswall — It is not well enough known. The germ 

 in diphtheria is the smallest of any known growth, and that 

 can hardly be detected with the microscope. In relapses 



