1892.] Prof . P. F. Frankland on Micro-organisms J (S:c. 519 



WEEKLY EVENING MEETING, 

 Friday, February 19, 1892. 



Sib Dyce Duckworth, M.D. LL.D. F.R.C.P. Vice-President, in the 



Chair. 



Professor Percy F. Frankland, Ph.D. B.Sc. F.R.S. 



Micro-organisms in their Relation to Chemical Change. 



Almost exactly on this day twenty-two years ago the subject of micro- 

 organisms was introduced to the audience of the Royal Institution in 

 one of those charming discourses, which so many of us well know 

 were always to be heard from Dr. Tyndall. The title of his discourse 

 on that occasion was " Dust and Disease," and its contents should be 

 studied by all interested in this departure of science, forming, as it 

 does, a part of the classical literature of the subject in which it marks 

 the commencement of a new epoch. 



It has probably rarely, if ever happened before, that in so short a 

 period as twenty-two years any science has undergone such a marvel- 

 lous advance, such a many-sided development, as that which has 

 taken place in the case of bacteriology, the science which is devoted 

 to the study of those low forms of life which we group together 

 under the name of micro-organisms. This advance has been made 

 through the ungrudging expenditure of self-denying labour by a grfeat 

 body of earnest workers of nearly every nationality. The subject is 

 indeed one calculated to draw forth interest and enthusiasm, for the 

 problems involved are not only of high scientific importance, but are 

 also of incalculable moment to mankind and indeed to the entire 

 living creation. 



The great impetus which this new science received at its outset 

 was imparted by Pasteur, who has not only laid the foundations, but 

 has also added, and is still adding, so much to the superstructure of 

 its many mansions. 



The side of bacteriology with which the general public is most 

 commonly brought in contact is that which relates to disease, but of 

 this I propose saying absolutely nothing to-night. It has been dealt 

 with by others in this place, and notably by my friend Dr. Klein. 



There is a second side of bacteriology which has also a special 

 interest for at least a portion of the public in consequence of the 

 invaluable assistance which it has afforded to some sections of the 

 industrial world. Indeed, chronologically, this industrial department 

 of bacteriology was the first which claimed attention, for the growers 

 of wine, the brewers of beer, and the manufacturers of fermented 

 liquors of all kinds from the highest antiquity have been practical 

 bacteriologists, of the same spontaneous order, it is true, as M. Jourdain 



