160 PASTEUR AND HYDROPHOBIA III 



virus can vary : one, its incubation period, and the 

 other its intensity of action, apart from time, but 

 in reference to its actual capability or incapa- 

 bility of causing disease in this or that species of 

 animal. 



It is useless to speculate further on the subject at 

 present. The secret is for the moment locked in 

 Pasteur's brain. Had we in this country a State 

 Laboratory or any public institution whatsoever in 

 which research of the kind was provided for, the 

 fundamental statements of Pasteur as to his results 

 with dogs would ere this have been strictly tested 

 with absolute independence and impartiality by 

 English physiologists retained by the State to carry 

 on continuously such inquiries. Similarly, we should 

 have independent knowledge on the points above 

 raised as to the modification of the virus in rabbits, 

 and the public anxiety on the whole matter would be 

 in a fair way towards being allayed. At the same 

 time, in all probability similar treatment in regard to 

 other diseases would ere this have been devised by 

 "practical" English experimenters. As it is, owing 

 to our repressive laws and the State neglect of scientific 

 research, we have to remain entirely at the mercy of 

 the distinguished men who are nurtured and equipped 

 by the State agencies of our Continental neighbours. 

 All that we are in a position to say with regard to 

 Pasteur's treatment of hydrophobia is, that unless the 

 accounts which have been published in his name and 

 by his assistants are not merely erroneous, but wilful 

 frauds of incredible wickedness, that treatment is 



