THE VITAL PHENOMENA OF BACTERIA. /I 



cooperation of the ions be brought into play, the 

 constant current, when of sufficient strength, 

 intensity and duration, is able to destroy both 

 bacteria and their spores. The electric current 

 acts upon toxic bacterial cultures in such a way 

 as to remove their toxicity, and cultures treated 

 in this way, with their toxic power destroyed, 

 are able to confer immunity. 



Disinfection. Effect of Poisons. 



The behavior of bacteria towards chemical 

 agents has been much investigated, especially 

 upon practical grounds, in order to obtain dis- 

 infectants against disease germs, and anti- 

 septics against the germs of putrefaction. The 

 distinguished military physician and epidem- 

 iologist Pringle carried out experiments in the 

 last century upon the action of disinfecting 

 substances on infectious material. Unfortu- 

 nately a period of crude empiricism followed, 

 in which men allowed themselves to be guided 

 by the sense of smell and to conclude upon 

 the cessation of a nauseous stench that they 

 had destroyed the cause of the disease. Under 

 the sway of this idea sulphate of iron obtained 

 particular favor as a disinfectant, and among 

 army surgeons the fresh whitewashing of rooms 

 also achieved fame as a method of disinfection. 



