14 
and dermatitis, or skin-trouble, except in rare instances, 
was the fault of the operator. Not a single case had 
occurred in Guy’s Hospital Radiographic Department. 
Dr. Shenton showed a number of objects under the 
X-rays, and exhibited a high-frequency apparatus. 
Friday, 7th May, 1902, Sir Samuel Wilks, Bart., 
F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 
tievot GD; Pidcock, M.A., M.R.C.P., read anpaper 
entitled ‘‘ Bacteria and their Allies,” illustrated by lantern 
slides, and by diagrams and microscopical specimens. 
The lecturer, after pointing out the importance of 
Bacteriology at the present time in connection with the 
medical and other sciences and industries, gave a short 
history of its origin and progress, from about 250 years 
ago, when Leeuwenhoek first discovered bacteria in 
putrid water. A description of how bacteria exist in 
air, water and soil, was then given. The process of 
sterilisation was briefly described, and the method of 
growing bacteria artificially in various media, for study- 
ing them systematically. The various forms of bacteria 
were then described in detail, together with the effects 
wrought by their growth, often in the shape of disease. 
Photomicrographs of many of them were thrown on the 
screen, together with the malaria organism, showing its 
life history in man and the mosquito. Special mention 
--was made of the recent discoveries with regard to the 
fertilising of soil by bacteria. Photographs were shown 
of the very remarkable effects on the growth of certain 
of the leguminous plants, when grown in soil inoculated 
with their own special bacterium and when not so 
treated. Finally, Dr. Pidcock pointed out that were 
it not for the decomposing action of the putrifactive 
bacteria on dead animal and vegetable matter, the 
higher plants could not exist ; and, again, without plants 
to feed upon, the higher animals would, of course, 
soon become extinct. The bacilli, which are the cause 
