GERMS. 95 



and whether such experiments were not too reckless 

 undertakings, overrating human control over nature's 

 forces. Vienna and the whole Austrian empire be- 

 came panic-stricken. The impending danger of a 

 murderous epidemic was thought of, the principals of 

 the laboratories were severly criticized, and an excited 

 populace threatened to mob them. The power of the 

 most minute organisms was brought to light, the mani- 

 festation of their force was terrible, the sufferings and 

 misery which they created in the limited circle where 

 they were handled convinced even the most pronounced 

 skeptic that bacteriology has not to deal with hypo- 

 thetical questions, but with living factors." 



Why were the people of Vienna excited and "panic- 

 stricken?" Because of the teachings of the bacter- 

 iologists. 



What became of this "murderous epidemic" that was 

 about to break forth and produce such "terrible suf- 

 fering"? Why, about that time the bacteriologists 

 turned their attention to something else and the people 

 forgot all about it. 



Does this not prove what we claim, viz. : That 

 the mythical teachings of bacteriology are the very 

 best means of producing a panic in any commu- 

 nity or country? And is it not also true that, while 

 laboring under this condition of excitement the powers 

 of resistance are lowered and people more liable to 

 contract the disease? And the disease more liable to 

 prove fatal? It is assumed that when any of the 

 boards of health wish to secure the passage of a new 



