258 THE Microscope. 
Fourth. How may diseases due to bacteria be avoided? It is 
to the answer of this practical question that the great and chief in- 
terest in investigations upon pathogenic bacteria is attached. Most 
people care little for the minute organisms themselves. They 
would rather never have any introduction or form anything like a 
practical acquaintance with them or their effects. How are we to 
escape? is the cry. Would that the cry were louder! Happy for 
the human race when the danger is rationally apprehended—when 
men are aroused to the importance of intelligently strengthening 
and assisting their natural defences, of directly and skillfully com- 
batting revealed and comprehended enemies, of scientifically and 
thoroughly protecting themselves! It can be done! 
What has been accomplished within our memories gives a 
basis for abundant faith that much more is to be done. Man, not 
microbes, is to have dominion! We can only glance at the possibili- 
ties within our reach, at the accomplishments achieved. In the ~ 
first place, it must be recognized that a knowledge of the cause of 
a disease is a great step towards prevention or cure. 
One may occasionally accomplish something, fighting in the 
dark, striking at unseen foes, but it is awkward business, at best 
and usually futile in result. The enemy once found, his habits 
and methods discerned, conquest may be assured and victory easy. 
It is fully time that we accept the parasitic doctrine of disease, 
that we believe in the revelations of our microscopes, that we rec- 
ognize in bacteria and their allies the sought for enemies and that 
we marshal our forces against them. 
When those whose professional business it is to deal with dis- 
ease unite upon this ground, and together, in solid agreement, help 
in the struggle, we shall make rapid advances toward the victory 
Reeenenee: (To be continued.) 
TuBERCLE-BACILLI IN THE Urtne. Dr. Kirstein reports in the 
Deutsche Med. Wochenschrift, (Sept. 15, 1886), the clinical history of 
a case of grave septic cystitis in which, by the discovery of the 
tubercle bacilli in the urine, he could diagnose the simultaneous 
existence of tuberculosis of the bladder. The copious sedi- 
ment, consisting chiefly of purulent and septic matter, rendered the 
recognition of the bacilli extremely difficult. They could only be 
found in one out of forty slides, To facilitate the finding of the 
