190 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



carbolic acid, two grains to the ounce, we have seen them quite lively 

 twenty-four hours after they h^d been ])laeed in it. 



We do not suppose the above will hohl good for all bacteria; indeed, 

 we have seen some that were rendered motionless almost instantane- 

 ously by solution of carbolic acid. 



If the above expressed view of the nature of these bodies be accepted 

 as i^robable, the results of the culture experiments with the fluids of 

 diseased and healthy animals can be readily understood. In many ani- 

 mals, whether healthy or diseased, there are no fungus germs in the 

 blood. We have kept vacuum tubes of blood for foiu- months, and at 

 the end of that time the contents w^ere perfectly normal. In other ani- 

 mals there are probably germs in the blood during life, as shown by the 

 fact that, in vacuum tubes filled from them, the blood putrefied and the 

 usual mycoderms developed. But that these germs can develop and 

 multiply, without dead organic material as a pabulum, is very doubtful. 



The fungi, w^hich are developed from blood containing these germs, 

 are, as might be expected, the common molds, the spores of which are 

 almost ubiquitous. Most frequently penicillum, next mucor, next 

 asi^ergillus. 



Other forms may apx^ear, and those above mentioned may vary greatly 

 in size, color, and rapidity of development. 



As was stated in the beginning, our object was to determine the pres- 

 ence, and, as far as possible, the nature of these germs. The query as 

 to the connection between them and disease, whether they should be 

 considered as specific causes of the disease, or as carriers of contagium, 

 or as the signs of destruction of vitality of a part of the fluids or tissues 

 in which they are found, said destruction being due to some other 

 cause, is one of great interest; but for the answeiing of wh c'l the 

 " lancet and injection tube " will probably be far more efficacious than 

 the microscope and " culture apparatus." 



J. S. BILLIXGS, 

 Bvt. Lt. Col. and Asst. Surg. U. S. Army. 

 EDWAED CUKTIS, 

 Bvt. Maj. and Asst. Surg. U. S. Army. 



