spores, until a Spore Glossary. 265 



until the water was burdened with growing, propagating cells, 

 spores of Protophytes and Protozoans, desmids, diatoms, and 

 infusoria, together with larger plants and animals in the greatest 

 abundance. It was a mass of living, healthy matter, in a very little 

 water. But by the introduction of a decomposing animal, or 

 neglect for a little while to remove one that had died, my aquarium 

 would suddenly be changed to a putrescent, infecting, offensive 

 mass, and all the i)lants and animals would die, except a few of 

 such as feed on decomposing matter. 



Decomposition having commenced, it spreads with rai)idity. 

 Even the spores that are propagated and the cells that feed on 

 this ^pyrogenic " virus, are capable of communicating the poison 

 to other bodies. Possibly, or even probably, these protophytes 

 themselves become diseased, and their genetic qualities changed 

 or rendered abnormal by a surfeit of decomposing, poisonous 

 matter. So that, wherever they find a suitable lodgement, they 

 act directly as irritants, exciting inflammation and decomposition. 



Thus, I have but little doubt, epidemics spread. Each body 

 becomes a center of infection. Even the air, in close proximity, 

 will contain germ particles, and clothing or other material may be 

 the means of conveying spores, which, as I have said, are " sealed 

 packages," containing not only the life-endowed seed of a bac- 

 terium or other organism, but a chemical compound of the most 

 poisonous character. 



From this cause millions of human beings have perished in 

 past ages, and millions will perish in time to come, unless we act 

 with knowledge and in concert to stop the spread and prevent 

 the dissemination of this " living contagion," which carries so sure 

 a cause of "black death." 



Quite recently. Dr. B. W. Richardson, of London, eminent 

 as a physiologist and lecturer, opposed what has been termed the 

 "germ theory of disease." He stated, perhaps with more zeal 

 than knowledge of the subject, that it was a hypothesis, and it would 

 be false even to call it a theory. His theory substitutes " a poison- 

 ous, glandular secretion under special atmospheric conditions," 

 &c. "An extreme nervous impression made on the glandular 

 nervous supply." " The impression of disease made on a nervous 

 center is transmitted ; " and so on. In order to take all supports 

 from the hypothesis, he propounds the following questions : 

 " Why do the germs, after a certain time, cease to multiply, and 

 allow the sick person to recover?" "Why do they not go on 



