92 



from Leeuwenhoek's discovery. The work of the Germans, 

 and even of the French, apart from Pasteur, has been mainly 

 in the filling up of details. Extremely important have 

 been many of those details. The discovery of the micro- 

 organism of anthrax by Rayer and Davaine ; the subsequent 

 discovery by Koch of the spores into which the anthrax 

 filaments break up; Koch's discovery of the bacillus of 

 tuberculosis ; and, lastly, the same ardent investigator's latest 

 discoveries bearing upon the nature and etiology of cholera, 

 are all alike, not only important confirmations of previously- 

 existing ideas, but in themselves elucidatory and sug- 

 gestive. The Germans, too, have been most important 

 critics, a natural consequence of their close attention to 

 details; and Koch's criticisms of Pasteur's work may be 

 perused with the greatest advantage by all who are in- 

 terested in the subject, or are practically engaged in medical 

 or surgical work. Some regret may be felt at a certain 

 want of respect for the great Frenchman which seems to 

 pervade the illustrious German's remarks. The true lover 

 of science is little impressed, however, by the temporary 

 acrimony of rival investigators, but is thankful for their 

 mutual watchfulness. Pasteur remains the central figure 

 in connection with the modern development of the germ 

 theory; the discoveries and criticisms of the greatest of 

 his contemporaries in the same sphere of investigation 

 are, after all, of the nature of side-lights upon his work. 



5. — This is not the place in which to offer any opinion on 

 theistic questions. But it is strictly within the scope of a 

 scientific paper to recognise facts having a direct bearing 

 upon the subject under consideration. It is a fact that 

 Pasteur must be added to the list of "spiritualist" grands 

 initiateurs enumerated b}'' Naville. We may take cogni- 

 sance of Pasteur's religious beliefs as resulting in an attitude 

 of mind and a selective influence which have undoubtedly 

 been the primary conditions of his peculiar success. Per- 



