HOUSEHOLD BACTERIOLOGY 



Method 

 of Study 



Bacteria 



Classed 

 ai Plants 



Founding 



of the 



Science 



By finding what they grow on and their behavior in 

 different soils ; what they like best to eat ; what tem- 

 perature is most favorable to reproduction ; adding to 

 this the knowledge of structure, motion, and form 

 which the microscope reveals, and lastly by chemical 

 analysis of the substances produced by them during 

 growth the species are determined. 



These methods have also made possible the cultiva- 

 tion of pure cultures which are highly desirable with 

 all species of commercial value. A pure yeast makes 

 possible a saving of thousands of dollars in the brew- 

 ing industries alone, and some time, let us hope, the 

 housewife may be able to buy pure yeast for her bread- 

 making. 



It was not until 1850 that these organisms were 

 studied as plants. Dr. Waldo Burnett, a young phys- 

 ician of Boston, suggested this and related theories, 

 which since his death have been proved. 



Ten years after, these forms were accepted and 

 classified by botanists. 



There were many observers and experimenters in 

 the field and about 1881 the science of Bacteriology 

 was founded. To Louis Pasteur must be ascribed the 

 honor of laying its corner-stone, for he first endeav- 

 ored to cultivate bacteria and yeasts and tried to make 

 pure cultures. Upon the foundation thus laid Robert 

 Koch built the germ theory of disease. He culti- 

 vated certain germs and introducing them into the 

 bodies of certain animals was able to produce certain 

 diseases. He then suggested the four rules which still 



