152 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 



requires "seven million consumption germs to fill the 

 eye of the finest cambric needle." What valuable in- 

 formation, and how it aids in bringing back to health 

 a diseased and weakened constitution. 



For years health boards and other bacteriologists 

 have taught that the germ discovered by Doctor Koch 

 is the cause of consumption. But since that time so 

 many other varities have been discovered that admit- 

 ting for the moment that consumption is caused by a 

 germ, the bacteriologists could not tell to-day what 

 germ produces the disease. But even some bacteri- 

 ologists claim that it is not a germ disease at all, as the 

 following shows : 



Page 368, Physician and Surgeon, says: "Hueppe, 

 professor of hygiene in the University of Prague, says : 

 I have arrived at the definite opinion that the tubercle 

 bacillus is a parasitic growth, and is not a true bacter- 

 ium at all/ " 



Page 369 says: "In form we find in one stage of 

 growth a round coccus-like organism; again, long 

 bacillus-like threads, and still again, the peculiar ray 

 or club-shaped form." 



In an able article on tuberculosis in the National 

 Medical Review, page 205, it is stated: "The tubercle 

 bacillus is an organism whose status (permanency) 

 has not even yet been definitely settled. There are 

 those who consider it a form of fungus growth and 

 there is some evidence that renders it not improbable. 

 Branching forms have been described resembling 

 hypha; i. e., a long tread-like branching in certain 



