180 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BACTERIA. 
Of the Effects of Bacteria. —It would be rash 
to attempt to-day to give a definite verdict upon 
the greater or less noxiousness of the bacteria. 
At the outset of the studies which disclosed their 
presence in many pathological liquids, it was be- 
lieved that we had finally found the true explana- 
tion of the obscure phenomena which retard or 
complicate the normal repair of wounds. But 
what shall we think to-day of the redoubtable role 
which was at first attributed to a microbe, when 
we ascertain that its development is not fettered 
by the clinical means which are most highly 
praised? These are the difficulties of the prob- 
lem upon which the future will, without doubt, 
shed some light, but of which —I repeat it — not- 
withstanding the amount of labor which they call 
forth every day, it is not possible for us to form- 
ulate the solution to-day. Let us try, however, to 
indicate that which experiment has taught” us 
up to the present time. 
Upon the surface of a granulating wound, not 
offering to absorption any vascular or lymphatic 
orifice, it is to be believed that the microbe con- 
stitutes only a very contingent danger. It may 
multiply in greater or less degree, and will absorb 
more or less oxygen, giving birth, perhaps, as a 
result of chemical decompositions, to a virus upon 
the surface of the wound, which, notwithstanding, 
will arrive at cicatrization. But, if a solution of 
continuity happens to break through the thick 
layer of fleshy granulations, either by the spon- 
taneous movements of the patient or by those 
