188 The Microscope. 



BACILLUS OUR BANE. 



O bogie-like baleful Bacillus, 



Untoucbed by our potions and pills, 



You enter to conquer and kill us. 

 The taint that brings terrible ills. 



You lurk in the air and the water, 

 The presage of peril and pain, 



You stride on serene to our slaughter, 

 Bacillus our bane! 



You must have existed for ages, 

 But ne'er in the past you appear 



In mystical medical pages — 



"When suddenly, lo ! you are here. 



Though climates be arctic or tropic. 

 You come with disease in your train: 



Seen surely on slide microscopic, 

 Bacillus our bane! 



" De minimus non cural lex " is 



A motto we've all heard before; 

 The tiny Bacillus that vexes 



No medical man can ignore. 

 The smallest of things in creation 

 An eminence high may attain ; 

 You pull down the head of a nation, 

 Bacillus our bane! 



Though some folks deny your existence. 

 Though fierce physiologists fight. 



With painful, unplcasing persistence. 

 Professors bring new ones to light. 



Each boasts of the one he detected, 

 Its beauties will gladly explain ; 



Is our admiration expected. 



Bacillus our bane? 



While knowledge is power, recognition 



Of such horrid atoms as these. 

 Each like a malific magician, 



Can scarce be expected to please. 

 Although we've endeavored to quiz it. 



It smiles vibrionic disdain; 

 But don't bother us with a visit, 

 Bacillus our bane! 



— Punch. 



Mr. F. DuBois contributes to The Garnet' an interesting "skit" 

 on microscopy. The same journal contains a very readable article 

 on eyes, by F. V. Theobald, F. E. S. 



