122 PASTEUR AND HYDROPHOBIA HI 



connection of the phenomena investigated, but de- 

 liberately to select for inquiry matters of the most 

 profound importance to the community, and to bring 

 his inquiries to a successful practical issue in a large 

 number of instances. Thus he has saved the silk- 

 worm industry of France and Italy from destruction, 

 he has taught the French wine-makers to quickly 

 mature their wine, he has effected an enormous 

 improvement and economy in the manufacture of 

 beer, he has rescued the sheep and cattle of Europe 

 from the fatal disease " anthrax," and it is probable — 

 he would not himself assert that it is at present more 

 than probable — that he has rendered hydrophobia a 

 thing of the ]Dast. The discoveries made by this 

 remarkable man would have rendered him, had he 

 patented their application and disposed of them 

 according to commercial principles, the richest man 

 in the world. They represent a gain of some millions 

 sterling annually to the community. It is right for 

 those who desire that increased support for scientific 

 investigation should be afforded by the Governments 

 of civilised States to point with emphasis to the 

 definite utility and pecuniary value of M. Pasteur's 

 work, because it is only in rare instances that the 

 discovery of new knowledge and the practical applica- 

 tion of that knowledge go hand in hand. M. Pasteur 

 has afforded several of these rare instances. They 

 should enable the public and our statesmen to believe 

 in the value of scientific investigation even when it is 

 not immediately followed by practical commercial 

 results. These discoveries should excite in the minds 



