Journal of Applied Microscopy. 5-3 



diseases, thus taking a position quite at variance with that of niost writers on 

 bacteriology. Of course Dr. Hueppe is perfectly familiar with the great mass of 

 facts upon which the conclusions of the Koch school are based. He is fully 

 aware that diseases are produced in animals by inoculating them with definite 

 bacteria, and he does not question that the bacteria are the stimulating influence 

 which originates the disease. His claim is, however, that the disease is really a 

 function of the animal that suffers, and not of the bacteria. An explosion of 

 gunpowder is brought about by a spark, but everyone recognizes, of course, that 

 the explosion is the function of the gunpowder, and not of the spark. Thus in 

 regard to disease. Health is the result of the normal action of the body cells, 

 and disease is the result of their abnormal action. It is hardly more correct to 

 say that health is caused by the absence of bacteria, than to say that disease 

 is caused by their presence. Bacteria may provoke abnormal action of the 

 body cells, but disease itself is the result of this abnormal action. No one 

 disease can appear in the body except one for which the body cells have a predis- 

 position. Thus, in general, Hueppe places emphasis upon the functional activity 

 of the body rather than upon the bacteria. Disease is the result of a number of 

 factors, of which external conditions form one, the condition of the body another, 

 and the presence of bacteria a third. If either one of the factors is lacking the 

 disease does not occur. 



As one reads this work of Hueppe it is evident that the author is trying to 

 put himself quite decidedly in opposition to the school of Koch. But in reality 

 there is less opposition than at first sight appears. The problem of infectious 

 disease is a broad rather than a narrow subject. One side of the problem has 

 been dwelt upon in extreme by the school of Koch. The other side of the 

 matter has been too much neglected, and Dr. Hueppe is certainly right in calling 

 further attention to it. The whole problem of dealing with infectious diseases 

 is modified by this conception. Prevention of disease involves something more 

 than avoiding bacteria. Hygienic measures need to do something more than try 

 to destroy bacteria. Hueppe has little sympathy with the disinfecting mania 

 which has in some places become so oppressive. In general, measures for com- 

 batting disease should be directed toward a general improvement in the 

 conditions, rather than toward the destruction of specific bacteria. 



Whatever we are inclined to think of these positions taken by the author, it 

 is certain that he is right in emphasizing a side of the bacteriological problem 

 that has been far too much neglected in the hurried search for specific bacteria 

 which has occurred since Koch pointed out the way. All who desire to 

 understand bacteriological problems should read this work carefully, if for no 

 other reason than to avoid falling into the error of believing that our knowledge 

 is greater than it is. Hueppe has certainly done a service in turning our atten- 

 tion to the fact that the physician should devote his energies to the man, rather 

 than to the bacteria, and Professor Jordan has done a service to the advance of 

 bacteriology by putting these suggestive chapters within reach of all American 

 students. H. W. Conn. 



Wesleyan University, Conn. i 



