CHAPTER IX. 



THE RELATIONS OF BACTERIA TO ASIATIC 

 CHOLERA. 



HISTORY records many tragic stones of 

 sudden outbreaks of fatal disease which 

 spreading like wildfire among the people have 

 brought untold miseries and countless deaths. 



In early times these frightful whirlwinds of 

 disease were looked upon as penal visitations 

 of the Supreme Powers, and in the utter panic 

 which they so often induced little was done in 

 the way of studying their nature or staying 

 their progress. 



Among the more important of these tragic 

 epidemics which have been experienced and 

 carefully observed since science has withdrawn 

 the veil of superstition from them, stands Asi- 

 atic cholera. 



In some parts of the world this disease is 

 constantly present and claims each year a vary- 



90 



