Io4 THE MICROSCOPICAL NEWS. 
——s— 
Dr. R. Koch, the medical officer of Public Health at Berlin, who 
has found that tuberculosis, or consumption, is dependent upon a 
bacillus. He found it in the sputa of consumptive patients, in 
tuberculous cavities, scrofulous glands, fungous joints, and the 
bones of tuberculous cattle ; and animals inoculated with it became 
infected with the disease. His experiments have been confirmed 
by others. Dr. G. A. Heron, of London, has found, during six 
months practice amongst hospital patients, 62 cases of tuberculosis 
in which these bacilli were present, and he considers that the 
probable course ofa case of this disease can be fairly prognosticated 
from the number of these organisms found in a microscopical field 
upon examination of the sputum. 
Similar organisms have been found in diphtheria, hydrophobia, 
and other diseases, and their treatment by disinfectants has been 
made a subject of much research. The whole subject is yet in its 
infancy, and some statements of its phases should be received with 
caution. I think, however, I have said enough to show that the 
microscope has had a large share in the attainment of more exact 
knowledge of the nature of many of the most deadly diseases to 
which men and animals are subject, and that a field of inquiry has 
been opened which may be productive of as much good to human- 
ity as any discovery in other departments of science. The disciples 
of Pasteur and Koch would, I suppose, scarcely look forward to 
the eradication of infectious diseases by the wholesale inoculation 
of the human race with attenuated microbes in their various forms. 
But may not these researches lead to the discovery of the rationale 
of the protective influence of inoculation and vaccination, which is 
at present unknown ; and may not this discovery eventually lead to 
the finding of other modes of protection, more practicable and 
perhaps more secure ? 
I might refer to the aid the microscope has afforded the geologist 
in the determination of the real nature and mode of origin of the 
siliceous, calcareous and other rocks, by the discovery of the minute 
organic remains which have been found imbedded in them, and to 
the value of such discovery in the attainment of the more reasonable 
views now prevalent of the mode of formation of the earth ; as well 
as to other subjects in which the microscope has advanced our 
knowledge of nature. I have, however, said enough to remind you 
of some of its uses in the field of natural science, and in the pro- 
motion of our well-being. In conclusion, I will remark that it is 
a benefit by no means small that we, as members of a Microscopical 
Society, are able to derive mutual assistance in the pursuit of some 
at least of the investigations I have indicated; and that, whether 
we are pursuing the study of the life-histories of the wonderful 
organisms found in those silent pools 
‘Where rolls the Volvox sphere of green, 
And plastids move in Brownian dance,” 
