LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 215 



rather than burnt ; if the worms, insects, rodents, and 

 domestic animals on the spot were or were not carriers 

 of the plague microbe, and could or could not transmit 

 it to a distance from the initial focus. 



After organising a small emergency laboratory, 

 the corpses were exhumed, and Dr. Salimbeni made 

 a post-mortem examination. These corpses, having 

 been in the ground for three months, were in a state 

 of advanced decomposition and contained no living 

 microbes. 



Having set the work of the plague mission going, 

 Metchnikoff parted from it in order to accomplish 

 the projected investigations on tuberculosis in the 

 Kalmuk steppes. He made a very solemn entry 

 into these steppes ; a Kalmuk deputation welcomed 

 the mission and presented Metchnikoff with a bronze 

 Buddha. 



The aspect of those natives is sad and humble, 

 their movements are slow, their eyes dull. In this 

 they contrast with their neighbours, the quick and 

 intelligent Kirghiz, and one reason for it is that the 

 latter, being Moslems, absorb no alcohol, while the 

 Kalmuks consume fermented milk (alcoholic fer- 

 mentation) which poisons them slightly but con- 

 tinuously ; this observation had already been made 

 by Metchnikoff at the time of his previous visit. 



The Kalmuks live in tents covered with coarse 

 felt ; they transport these dwellings on camels from 

 one place to another when their herds of sheep or 

 horses have consumed the scanty pasture grass 

 around the camp. There is no attempt at cultivation, 

 and the steppes become more and more barren as 

 the pastures become exhausted. In order to remedy 

 this evil, the Russian administration has begun 



