CONSUMPTION. 153 



plants which have neither roots, stems or leaves." The 

 growth upon bouillon" is peculiar and mould-like. 



The December number of the Physician and Surgeon, 

 page 561, states: "Kegarding the disease in question, 

 tuberculosis, the more conservative observers, includ- 

 ing also I am happy to say, many bacteriologists, con- 

 cede that although the tubercular germ is the important 

 factor in the large majority of cases, other germs, such 

 as the streptococcus, staphylococcus, pneumococcus, 

 etc., may play the greatest part in the pathogenesis of 

 most cases. Again, it happens that new varieties of 

 tubercular germs are being discovered, which seem 

 to differ from the typical one in many respects, viz., the 

 avian, bovine, the spirilla or branching form, the actino- 

 mycotic forms, the smegma bacillus and the bacilli 

 found on grass, hay, etc." 



The foregoing corresponds exactly with the state- 

 ments on page 43, viz., that all kinds of germs inhabit 

 the mouth, being taken in with food and drink, and 

 also from the air during the process of breathing; and 

 that they are continually being carried downward 

 through the act of swallowing, and by respiration, and 

 thousands of them find their way into the air-passages. 

 Hence the man with the microscope may find any and 

 all varieties. Bacteriologists claim that while the germ 

 may be absent in the "regular old-fashioned consump- 

 tion" they are always present in tuberculosis. Yet it 

 is well known that there are many cases of tuberculosis 

 in which no germ can be found, as just stated. The 

 solution is very simple, notwithstanding; the man had 



