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foundation of our modern notions regarding the 

 role played by bacilli and thus occupies a position 

 of weighty importance with reference to the matter. 

 Both upon dead and living organic matter these 

 organisms exert an influence productive of wide 

 and strikingly marked results. Although known 

 to become developed in decaying animal and 

 vegetable infusions it was not until recently 

 suspected that they stood in any other relation 

 than as a simple growth in a suitable medium — 

 certainly it was not suspected that they held the 

 position that is now assigned to them. Whilst 

 life exists in any particular being there is a round 

 of actions carried on — a round of changes occurring 

 in a definite and fixed direction giving rise to the 

 phenomena that are observed. When death occurs 

 another set of changes is seen to set in. The 

 aflfinities and operations formerly in play, which 

 held the elements together in specific combinations 

 and led to the occurrence of a specific line of 

 changes, ceasing to prevail, the conditions become 

 free for new aflfinities to come into force and 

 produce new combinations, and with this for a new 



