348 The Mickoscope. 



A committee, comprising some of the most distinguished Eng- 

 lish scientists and physicians, has recently published a report 

 strongly affirming the efficacy of his method of preventing the devel- 

 opment of this terrible disease. 



This indorsement from a tribunal so capable of judging of its 

 value, and, at the same time, so unprejudiced and impartial, cannot 

 but be most 'gratifying to M. Pasteur, as well as reassuring to the 

 general piiblic, who may be in danger from the attacks of rabid 

 animals. 



One of his earliest investigations was upon a disease among 

 silk-worms, which threatened to destroy ^the silk industiy in France. 

 He succeeded in bringing it under control, thus saving immense 

 sums to the silk-growers of that country. His system of inocula- 

 tions for the prevention of anthrax in cattle, has also proved a most 

 efficient means of protection against that fatal disease; and a process 

 of preserving and improving wine and beer, by destroying the 

 microbes by artificial heating, is extensively used in Europe under 

 the name of " Pasteurization." The various species of microbes, 

 bacteria and ferments seem to be a favorite subject of study with M. 

 Pasteur; and the importance which these organisms possess, both 

 from a medical and technological point of view, render them a fitting 

 siibject for the researches of the highest scientific talent. 



We trust that M. Pasteur may be long spared to continue his 

 work, which, we have no doubt, will be of even more value to man- 

 kind in the future than in the past. 



Bacterium of Texas Fever. — Dr. Frank S. Billings, director 

 of the Patho-Biological Laboratory of the Nebraska State University, 

 has discovered a bacterium, which he considers the germ of Texas 

 fever. He has found this germ in the blood, gall, urine, liver, spleen 

 and kidneys of affected animals, and by pure cultures, inoculations, 

 etc., has demonstrated it to be the cause of this dread cattle plague. 

 In a communication to the American Lancet, he says: " It cannot 

 be distinguished from the H. C. germ under the microscope, or in its 

 growth on agar-agar, but differentiates itself very sharply by its 

 growth on potatoes, having a delicate straw color, while the other 

 germ has a muddy coffee color." 



