PR CE.SS OF PUS-FORM A TION. 2 9 T 



of bacteria does not seem to influence the phenomena 

 in any way. Wounds in the mouth, as is well known, 

 heal very quickly, notwithstanding the irritation 

 which ought, according to the theory, to be pro- 

 duced by the putrefactive decompositions which un- 

 doubtedly occur, and which are probably occasioned 

 by the multitudes of bacteria which are always grow- 

 ing in and upon the epithelium. These bacteria are 

 always being swallowed and, probably, in the healthy 

 state, are destroyed by the digestive process, and the 

 product resulting from their destruction afterwards 

 absorbed. It seems, therefore, very doubtful if 

 Prof. Lister's excellent results in the treatment of 

 wounds and operations can be due to the destruc- 

 tion of the bacteria by the carbolic acid and the 

 prevention of the entrance of a few germs from the 

 air into a recent wound. Is it not more probable that 

 the extreme care taken by him in order to ensure the 

 above object is useful in some other way ? Has it 

 been proved that if the same care be taken as regards 

 the management of the wound and the dressing, a 

 similar favourable result will not be obtained even if 

 the access of bacteria is permitted ? 



It has been assumed in cases in which bacteria have 

 been detected in the pus that these, or the germs from 

 which they were developed, must have found their way 

 direct from the air, but it seems to me that the evi- 

 dence adduced in favour of this view is not conclusive, 

 while other facts and considerations render it much 



