88 



" Pasteur and the Germ Theory," by Frederick J. 

 Faraday, F,L.S. 



1. — I have been encouraged by Dr. Angus Smith to 

 present to you a resume of some of the most remarkable 

 results of the experimental development of what is known 

 as the germ theory. In carrying into effect this idea 

 it will not be expected that I should restrict my 

 attention to Pasteur's work. There have been many 

 able workers besides Pasteur in this field of biological in- 

 vestigation. But the work done by Pasteur is so original 

 and important that he may well be regarded as the great 

 leader of the school; and such other work as it may be 

 desirable to refer to, can be most conveniently dealt with as 

 bearing upon his researches. I have no new microbe to show 

 you, nor have I succeeded in demonstrating the mutual con- 

 vertibility of any known species. I have, however, given 

 considerable attention to the literature of the subject, and 

 it has appeared to my kind sponsor, as a member of this 

 Society, that a special presentation of such of the facts as 

 have grouped themselves together in my mind, and of some 

 of the thoughts which have been spontaneously evolved from 

 those groupings, might not be without utility. It may 

 provoke what may be considered at the present juncture as 

 a timely discussion, which may bring into clear outline the 

 frontier points of one of the most profound and practical 

 series of inquiries which have ever fascinated scientific men 

 or exercised the human intellect. It is very probable that 

 the paper may take a more philosophical turn than wiU be 

 in keeping with the exact scientific character of the papers 

 which the Society is in the habit of receiving. In extenua- 

 tion I must plead that the Society is known as the Literary 

 and Philosophical Society, and that according to the interesting 

 centenary volume lately published by it, it has from time to 

 time received even purely speculative communications. To 

 follow the example of men like Percival and White may 

 appear not entirely reprehensible. 



