154 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BACTERIA. 
The first experiments of Davaine brought him 
to the following conclusions: “The effects of pu- 
trefying substances do not go beyond the animal 
into which these substances are injected. The 
toxic agent of putrid matters does not regen- 
erate itself. Putrefaction acts upon the animal 
economy as a poison.” The first opinion should 
have for it the authority of Robin. Already in 
1864, Leplat and Jaillart, after a series of inoc- 
ulations made with septic blood, arrived at de- 
ductions analogous to those of Robin. At the 
same epoch, Billroth and Weber, having injected 
the gases of putrefaction, expressed the opinion 
that the septic agent was of a molecular nature 
(particulate). Bergmann, of Dorpat, admitted as 
contagious agent an azotized substance, not organ- 
ized, resisting alcohol and ether at a tempera- 
ture of 100°, and passing through filters. This 
theory was identical with that of Panum. It is 
to Pasteur that the honor belongs of having first 
affirmed the parasitic nature of septicemia. This 
communication was followed by confirmatory ex- 
periments by Coze and Feltz. ‘These experiment- 
ers also proved that the bacteria of putrid blood 
do not possess the property of traversing the epi- 
thelium, and that “the infectious element gains 
in passing through similar organisms.” In 1868, 
Davaine, changing his first opinion, admitted the 
presence of bacteria in the blood of animals which 
die of septicemia. Hallier of Jena and Béchamp 
of Montpelier also believe in the presence of a 
micro-organism, — Micrococcus for Haller, Micro- 
zyma for Béchamp. 
