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LOUIS PASTEUR 



Interpretation of the facts. The pus naturally formed on 

 the surface of the injured parts did not become contaminated 

 with organisms brought from without. Natura medicatrix 

 carried it off, that is to say the vitality of the mucous sur- 

 faces prevented the development of foreign germs. The 

 pus was easily resorbed, and recovery took place. 



I beg the Academy to permit me, in closing, to submit cer- 

 tain definite views, which I am strongly inclined to consider 

 as legitimate conclusions from the facts I have had the honor 

 to communicate to it. 



Under the expression puerperal fever are grouped very dif- 

 ferent diseases/ but all appearing to be the result of the 

 growth of common organisms which by their presence infect 

 the pus naturally formed on injured surfaces, which spread 

 by one means or another, by the blood or the lymphatics, 

 to one or another part of the body, and there induce mor- 

 bid changes varying with the condition of the parts, the 

 nature of the parasite, and the general constitution of the 

 subject. 



Whatever this constitution, does it not seem that by tak- 

 ing measures opposing the production of these common 

 parasitic organisms recovery would usually occur, except 

 perhaps when the body contains, before confinement, micro- 

 scopic organisms, in contaminated internal or external ab- 

 scesses, as was seen in one striking example (fifth observa- 

 tion). The antiseptic method I believe likely to be sovereign 

 in the vast majority of cases. It seems to me that immedi- 

 ately after confinement the application of antiseptics should 

 be begun. Carbolic acid can render great service, but there 

 is another antiseptic, the use of which I am strongly in- 

 clined to advise, this is boric acid in concentrated solution, 

 that is, four per cent, at the ordinary temperature. This 

 acid, whose singular influence on cell life has been shown by 

 M. Dumas, is so slightly acid that it is alkaline to certain test 

 papers, as was long ago shown by M. Chevreul, besides this 

 it has no odor like carbolic acid, which odor often disturbs 

 the sick. Lastly, its lack of hurtful effects on mucous mem- 

 branes, notably of the bladder, has been and is daily demon- 



7 Interesting as the starting point of the conception of diseases according 

 to the etiological factor, not by groups of symptoms. Translator. 



