DR. BEALE, ON THE CATTLE PLAGUE. 147 
though the germinal matter of the normal textures, after 
growing and multiplying to a great extent, has ceased to 
exist.” But more than this, if we would still wish for some 
more definite answer, it is clear that we should be most likely 
to find the contagious material in the secretions of the vagina, 
the eyes, the nose, or intestines, which are admitted by all to 
hold the poison of cattle plague. Dr. Beale believes that such 
particles as he has represented in figs. 9 and 10, the one from 
the fibrous tissue of the skin, the other from the vaginal 
mucus, and also those observed amongst the bundles of fibrous 
tissue already shown in fig. 5 and those in the cuticle, fig. 8, 
constitute the active living contagious material. 
Fic. 9.—Contagious particles from the 
vaginal mucus of acow. Cattle plague. 
a, Bacterium amongst these. 4, A mass of ‘ : 
germinal matter containing minute parti- ee ae Be ercker NSS 
cles like fungi. These are seen in the white (Bie 8 nai 1800 ep 
blood- and pus-corpuscle, &c. x 2800. ig. 8.) ; 
Fig. 10.—Minute particles of 
germinal matter (contagium ?) 
We take it that these particles are 
the nuclear corpuscles noticed by Dr. 
Bristowe and Dr. Sanderson, especially On 
in the skin eruption. Such particles 5. 1) 4 small porti 
P é ape portion 
have been found in the breath and sur- © of one of the smallest 
rounding air of diseased beasts. Hence, _ vessels represented in fig. 
though the normal nuclear elements |) showing particles of 
F 2 : J germinal matter coloured 
are increased in quantity, there is @ eep red by carmine, 
large addition of new living matter re- amongst a quantity of 
sulting from the growth of particles ‘debris. x 2800. 
derived from without the organism. Dr. Beale, therefore, 
considers that the “ poison,” “virus,” “contagium,” “materies 
morbi,”’ consists of the germinal or living matter constituting 
the cell-like or nuclear bodies found in such number, not 
only in all contagious fevers, but in specific inflammation 
and other affections, syphilis, gonorrhea, &c. He has de- 
scribed the movements and mode of multiplication of mucus 
and pus-corpuscles, which may be demonstrated with the aid 
of the highest powers now in use. Dr. Beale says that the 
poison “ consists of very minute particles of matter in a living 
