HISTORICAL. 



nit<-ly the characters of the various microorganisms found in pus 

 1 1 .ni acute abscesses, etc. 



The tetanus bacillus was discovered in 1884 by Nicolaier, a stu- 

 dent in the laboratory of Prof. Fliigge, of Gottingen. That this 

 bacillus is the cause of tetanus in man has been demonstrated by the 

 subsequent researches of numerous investigators. For an exact knowl- 

 edge of its biological characters we are especially indebted to Kitasato. 



So far as human pathology is concerned, no important pathogenic 

 microorganism was discovered after the year 1884 until the year 1892. 

 After numerous unsuccessful researches by competent bacteriologists, 

 a bacillus was discovered by Pfeiffer, of Berlin, and independently 

 by Canon, which is believed to be the specific cause of influenza. 



In 1894 the distinguished Japanese bacteriologist, Kitasato, dur- 

 ing a visit to China made for the purpose, discovered the bacillus 

 of the bubonic plague of the Orient. 



Recent experimental evidence appears to justify the conclusion 

 that infectious pleuro-pneumonia of cattle is due to a bacillus dis- 

 covered by Arloing his Pneumobacillus liquefaciens bovis. 



Finally we may refer to the recent discovery of the antitoxins of 

 diphtheria and of tetanus as one of the most important events in the 

 history of bacteriology and of scientific medicine. The name of Behr- 

 ing has the first place in connection with this discovery. 



Having briefly passed in review some of the principal events in 

 the progress of our knowledge in this department of scientific investi- 

 gation, it will be of interest to students to know something more of 

 the literature of bacteriology. Important papers have appeared in 

 medical and scientific journals in all countries, and research work of 

 value has been done by enthusiastic investigators of nearly every 

 nation. The brilliant pioneer work done by Pasteur and by Koch has 

 attracted to them many pupils and has made France and Germany 

 the leading countries in this line of investigation. The very great 

 advantages of Koch's methods of research, introduced at the com- 

 mencement of the last decade, have attracted many students from 

 various parts of the world to Berlin, and to other cities of Germany 

 where instruction was to be obtained from some of Koch's earlier 

 pupils. But to-day bacteriological laboratories have been established 

 in all parts of the world, and it is no longer necessary to go to Ger- 

 many to obtain such instruction. The literature of the subject is, 

 however, largely in the German and French languages. We can 

 only refer here to such periodicals as are principally devoted to bac- 

 t.-riological research work. 



The Zeitxchrift ///> Ifi/giene has been published since 1886, and 

 contains numerous valuable papers, contributed for the most part by 

 the pupils of Koch and of Fliigge, who are the editors of the journal. 



