214 



DISCOVERY 



en. 



not bring himself to make the experiment of trephining 

 an animal's skull, and introducing some of the poison 

 of rabies into the brain. He was exceedingly desirous 

 of doing this, to establish the pathology of the disease, 

 but he shrank from it. On one occasion, when he was 

 absent from home, one of his assistants did the experi- 

 ment, and when Pasteur came back he told him he had 

 done so. " Oh," said Pasteur, " the poor beast ! His 

 brain is doubtless injured. I am afraid he will be 

 paralysed." 



The assistant went into a neighbouring room and 

 brought in the animal, which was a dog. It came in 

 frisking about, and investigating everything in a per- 

 fectly natural manner ; Pasteur was exceedingly pleased, 

 and though he did not like dogs, yet he lavished his 

 affection upon this particular animal, and petted it, and 

 from that time forth his scruples no longer existed. 

 The pain inflicted by the process of trephining is, in fact, 

 very slight ; yet the operation is sometimes described 

 as hideously painful. 



Although Pasteur may be considered to be the founder 

 of modern methods of scientific investigation of disease, 

 he was one of the most modest of men. At the Inter- 

 national Medical Congress held in London in 1882, he 

 was desired by the Government of the Republic to 

 represent France. Before the Congress, everyone was 

 inquiring whether he had arrived, but no one had seen 

 him until he entered St. James's Hall to attend the 

 opening meeting. The hall was filled to overflowing, 

 but as Pasteur entered he was recognised by one of the 

 stewards, who was leading him to the place reserved for 

 him on the platform, when there was a great outburst 

 of cheers. Perfectly unconscious that the applause was 

 meant for him, Pasteur turned to his two companions, 



