MEMOIRS. 
The Oricin and Disrrisurion of Microzymes (BaAcTERIA) 
in WATER, and the CrrcuMsTANCES which determine their 
ExIsTENCE ™ the Tissuzs and Liaquins of the Livine 
Bopy. By Dr. Burpon-Sanperson, F.R.S. 
(Reprinted, by permission, from the author's second “ Report of Researches 
concerning the Intimate Pathology of Contagion,” in the Appendix to the 
*13th Report of the Medical Officer of the Privy Council.) 
In my previous report on the intimate pathology of con- 
tagion, microzymes were defined as living particles which in 
their earliest state are spheroids, and do not exceed 3545; of 
an inch in diameter, but subsequently elongate into rods. 
As regards the conditions of their development, their ex- 
istence was said to be associated with the commencement of 
putrefactive decomposition of nitrogenous compounds. The 
question of their origin and destiny was left unanswered. It 
was left undecided whether on the one hand “ they constitute 
a race of more or less similar individuals, each of which 
springs from and reproduces its like,” or, on the other, are 
** verms in which a specific form is wrapped up,” capable of 
developing to the higher organisms from which they spring. 
It is to this question principally that the experiments we 
have now to bring before the reader relate. Our purpose is 
to examine into the origin, growth, and development of 
microzymes, to investigate the conditions which are fatal or 
favourable to their existence in the liquid and gaseous fluids 
by which we are surrounded, in the hope that by doing so 
we may be enabled to approach one degree nearer to an 
understanding of their influence on the processes which go on 
in the living body. 
In dealing with the question of origin, we again encounter 
the more general question of what is called ‘‘ spontaneous 
generation.” I have no intention, however, of entering upon 
it. I shall be able to prove in the most decisive manner that 
as regards the animal liquids and tissues, and the liquids 
which will be used as tests for the presence of microzyme 
germs, no spontaneous evolution of any organic form ever 
takes places ; but it will be quite unnecessary either to deny 
or to assert its possibility under other and different conditions. 
VOL. XI.—NEW SER. ¥ 
