BACTERIOLOGY 3 



lants, and hence have led to their use in strengthening and 

 steadying the weak and overtaxed heart. It has been 

 proved in the same way that ergot of rye, and its active 

 constituent, ergotin, have the power of causing contraction 

 of the arterioles, hence their employment for the arrest of 

 internal haemorrhage. Belladonna, and its active principle 

 atropine, have been shown to diminish sensibility of the 

 ends of the vagi and sensory nerves, and from this results 

 their value in quickening slow, irregular heart rhythm, 

 diminishing excessive bronchial secretion, and relieving 

 certain forms of pain. When the precise action of medi- 

 cines is recognised their practical use is obviously rendered 

 not only safer, but more effective. 



The Study of Bacteriology within the last twenty years 

 has done much to throw light on the diagnosis, prevention 

 and treatment of disease both in men and animals, and is 

 apparently destined to do much more. A number of 

 diseases classified as zymotic, and comprising anthrax, 

 glanders, tuberculosis, black-quarter, strangles, swine- 

 fever, tetanus, with typhoid, eruptive and other fevers, 

 have been shown to depend upon the introduction into the 

 body of micro-organisms belonging to the lower class of 

 vegetable fungi which, in susceptible subjects, multiply 

 rapidly, and produce chemical ferments, alkaloidal poisons, 

 and deadly albumoses. Pasteur, Koch, and others have 

 investigated the life-history of many of these disease- 

 producing microbes, the pathogenic conditions to which 

 they give rise, and the methods by which their invasion 

 may be averted or counteracted. 



Rabies differs somewhat from the other types of disease 

 here mentioned. Although the most elaborate searches have 

 been made for organisms of bacterial character, these have 

 been unsuccessful. It has been suggested from time to time 

 that organisms more resembling protozoa might be present, 

 but it was not until Negri described what are now called 

 4 Negri-bodies,' that any advance was made in this quest. 

 Lying in the protoplasm of the nerve cells or in their 

 branches, or in some cases outside them, they are seen 

 as oval, triangular, or slightly spindle- or sausage-shaped 

 bodies, which, taking on an eosin ground stain, are studded 



