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agent ; rabbits, for instance, live and fatten on a diet of 

 belladonna leaves, and carnivorous animals are but 

 slightly susceptible to anthrax. But when we consider 

 that the septic processes of man are objectively identical 

 with those of other animals, that they result in various 

 animals alike from putrid and purulent infection, and 

 furthermore, that they have been induced in animals by 

 direct inoculation from the human subject, we must jus- 

 tify the application to man of the principles ascertained 

 from the study of these septic diseases in other animals. 



Although our present knowledge of the etiology of 

 septic infection is thus incomplete, our ability to pre- 

 vent such infection is fortunately more satisfactory. For 

 we may practically classify all such cases into two cat- 

 egories those in which a possible source of infection 

 is previously apparent, and those in which no such 

 source is discoverable. The treatment of the former 

 class, the large majority, comprising all wounds, I may 

 be permitted to discuss in so far as the principles of such 

 treatment are based upon a recognition of the agency of 

 bacteria in the morbid processes. Septic infection from 

 a wound means the absorption through that wound of 

 one or more constituents of the putrefactive process. 

 Now, putrefaction is impossible without bacteria ; hence 

 septic infection implies the vital activity of bacteria, past 

 or present. The actual presence of bacteria in the 

 wound is, as has been shown by Panum, Bergmann, and 

 others, unnecessary septicaemia may be induced by 

 putrid liquids deprived of bacteria ; but these liquids are 

 putrid they embody the products of bacterial life. Pre- 

 caution against the introduction into a wound of already 

 formed poisons by disinfection of hands, instruments, 

 sponges, etc., on the side of the surgeon, and by similar 

 cleanliness as to the body of the patient, is evidently the 

 first measure against sepsis a measure quite overlooked 

 occasionally by surgeons who intend to use all so-called 

 antiseptic precautions. I once saw a laparotomy made 

 by a rigid apostle of Listerism ; the carbolic spray was 

 used ; hands, instruments, ligatures, etc., thoroughly car- 



