THE LABORATORY OF THE ECOLE NORMALS. 299 



the granulations which are found in profusion in the 

 healthy pulp, there seem to exist little grains of ex- 

 treme minuteness, almost imperceptible even with the 

 strongest microscopes. In the cephalo-rachidic liquid 

 so limpid in appearance, it is possible with great 

 attention to detect similar little grains. Can this be 

 the microbe of hydrophobia ? Some do not hesitate 

 to affirm that it is. For ourselves, as long as the 

 cultivation of the microbe outside of the organism has 

 not been effected, and that hydrophobia has not been 

 communicated by means of artificial cultures, we shall 

 abstain from expressing a definite opinion on the 

 subject.' 



But the grand problem in regard to hydrophobia 

 is, not so much the isolation of the microbe, as the 

 finding of a means of preventing this frightful disease. 



Even now the experiments are in full swing. 

 Biting dogs and bitten dogs fill the laboratory. With- 

 out reckoning the hundreds of mad dogs that have 

 died in the laboratory during the last three years, 

 there never occurs a case of hydrophobia in Paris 

 of which Pasteur is not informed. Not long ago 

 a veterinary surgeon telegraphed to him, * Attack 

 at its height in poodle-dog and bull-dog. Come.' 

 Pasteur invited me to accompany him, and we started, 

 carrying six rabbits with us in a basket. The 

 two dogs were rabid to the last degree. The bull dog 



