SCHROEDER. 29 



perfect success. Sterilized fluids kept just as perfectly when 

 sealed with a wad of cotton, as when sealed hermetically. 

 This, as it became established, effectually disposed of the 

 theory of gaseous ferments. But the claim was now made 

 that the dried remains of decomposing bodies might fly about 

 in the air and renew their molecular motions on being again 

 moistened, and that these would be kept out of sterilized 

 fluids by the cotton batting, the same as was claimed for 

 living germs. 



The following are the conclusions of Schroeder : 



1st. " All vegetable or animal forms derive their origin 

 from other living vegetable or animal beings. Omne vivum 

 ex vivo. 



2d. " When a series of specific products of fermentation 

 and putrefaction are developed at a certain spot, germs which 

 originate the process have been conveyed to that spot through 

 the medium of the air. Such is certainly always the case with 

 regard to germs of mould, and to the ferments of wine, milk 

 and urine. 



3d. " Vegetable and animal matter in which all germs 

 have been destroyed by boiling, and which, while yet in a 

 hot state, has been shut off from the direct influence of the 

 external air by means of cotton- wool, remains perfectly free 

 from mould, fermentation or putrefaction. The germs, which 

 otherwise would be supplied by the air, are arrested in the 

 passage of the latter through the cotton-wool. 



4th. " The germs of most vegetable and animal substances 

 are destroyed by exposure for a short time to a temperature of 

 100 C. (212 F.) 



5th. " But milk, yelk and meat contain germs which are 

 not thus killed. Boiling at a high temperature, under higher 

 pressure, or long-continued boiling at 100 C., will, however, 

 always suffice to destroy these germs. 



