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1,279 For another class of zymotic diseases another 

 form of remedy has been applied with success. The method 

 of combating these diseases consists in the destruction of the 

 organisms producing the disease. No exact information is 

 available as to the origin and growth of these parasites ; in 

 other words, we cannot trace in every case of epidemic the 

 origin of the germs associated with them at their first occur- 

 rence and how they are afterwards conveyed into the bodies 

 of animals and plants through the vehicles of wind, water, 

 leaves, grasses &c. That every case of decaying fruits, flowers, 

 leaves, and specially animal matter and excreta, "is associated 

 with numerous microscopic organisms, can be easily seen 

 under the microscope. That germs of putrefaction are in 

 some cases productive of disease, has been also established 

 without doubt. We can see for ourselves that if we allow 

 vegetable matters, excreta, dead animals &c., to rot in consi- 

 derable quantities near human habitation, fatal diseases break 

 out among men. It has also been proved that all epidemics 

 are associated with certain microbes. The connection be- 

 tween epidemics among animals and plants and the putre- 

 faction of vegetable and animal substances is therefore very 

 close, vi2. t one of cause and effect. It is not certain, however, 

 in every case of epidemic where exactly the putrefactive 

 germs originated and became converted into pathogenic 

 germs. The main principle on which the prevention of epi- 

 demics both among plants and animals is based, consists in 

 the prevention of putrefaction of organic matter. We often 

 find fields submerged under water at the end of the rainy 

 season for a long time, a condition which is helpful to putre- 

 faction of the grasses &c. which are afterwards consumed by 

 cattle. Such lowlying lands are only too common in Bengal. 

 Bacteriologists have discovered the germs of anthrax in 

 rotten grass. English and Scotch agricultural lands are 

 usually drained and the ravages of anthrax in these two 

 countries have been minimised in consequence. Want of 



