189I.] NEW-YORK MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 91 



Yesterday he gave to the world the formula for his great dis- 

 covery, which, briefly stated, is a glycerin extract of a certain 

 dilution from the ptomaines or the products of the bacillus 

 itself. 



The consensus of opinion from the tests is that it is a remedy 

 of great value. Besides its direct benefits the indirect ones will 

 be even greater, for the publicity given by the press to this and 

 kindred discoveries is rapidly educating the people to the impor- 

 tant role played by microbes in contagious diseases, and the 

 necessity of efficient sanitary measures for our cities as a preven- 

 tive. Check the causes instead of dealing with the dangerous 

 effects, and have clean streets, wholesome water, and efficient 

 sewerage. Any one or all of these, when not in proper condi- 

 tion, are efficient media for the growth of microbes detrimental 

 to health, particularly in cities of warm climates. But few of our 

 cities in warm climates have as wholesome water as is needed for 

 domestic purposes, being so filled with germs as to be unsafe for 

 many persons to drink without sterilization. The indifference 

 of the people to these important matters is largely due to the fact 

 that their nature and bearing are not understood. The reasons 

 why the streets should be clean, the water wholesome, and that 

 there should be efficient sewerage in our cities, are evident to 

 health boards, but it needs enlightened public opinion to more 

 thoroughly carry out the demonstrations of the microscope. 



PROCEEDINGS. 

 Meeting of December 5TH, 1890. 

 In the absence of the President and Vice-President, Mr. Wil- 

 liam Wales was elected chairman. 

 Twelve persons present. 



The Corresponding Secretary exhibited the first and second 

 numbers of the new publication, Le Diatomiste, edited by M. J. 

 Tempere, Paris, and gave notice of the character of the publi- 

 cation. 



objects EXHIBITED. 



I. Longitudinal and transverse sections of an Actinia, Metridium 

 marginatum Milne-Edwards, showing tentacles, mouth, oesopha- 

 geal tube, and mesenteric folds : by L. Riederer. 



