EPILOGUE TO VOL. I 



These then are the actinomycetes, dismissed only about two decades ago 

 as a "little-known group of microorganisms," and considered by some as 

 fungi and by others as bacteria. I have presented in these pages my personal 

 experiences with the actinomycetes, especially their occurrence in nature, 

 their structure and functions, and their role in natural processes. I have 

 attempted to summarize some of the reactions whereby they carry out their 

 characteristic biochemical activities, their varied biochemical potentiali- 

 ties, which are at present being taken advantage of for the benefit of the 

 human race. The subsequent volumes will deal with the problems of how to 

 recognize them and how to utilize them for the production of valuable drugs 

 that are saving millions of human lives. 



277 



