56 



Observations Regarding Pettenkofer s Theory. 



[part I. 



PESHAWUR. 



The Sanitary Commissioner having subsequently visited Peshawur (where over 350 

 cases of cholera were reported as having occurred during the month of September among 

 the European troops alone), favoured me with two samples of soil, one sample from 

 a depth of three feet, and the other from a depth of six. 



It was in hard lumps, of low specific gravity, owing to its spongy nature, exceedingly 

 like a piece of pumice stone, and when applied to the lips, so freely could air be made 

 to pass through, that a feather placed on one end of a table could be readily blown 

 to the other. 



Its solution was slightly alkaline, and contained rather more organic matter than 

 the average, as may be seen from the subjoined table. 



It was subjected to a prolonged microscopic examination. During the first three 

 days a number of molecules developed in the fluid containing the three feet soil ; then 

 an abundance of animalcules like the ones alluded to in connection with the Meerut 

 soil (Fig. xcvii, 2,'3.) At Nos. 5, 6, and 7 various forms are depicted, assumed by one 

 in two minutes, which was also occasionally seen to jerk suddenly in the same manner 

 as 2 and 3. The reddish body at 1 is a spore, probably belonging to the Bematiei 

 family — a very common fungus. 



The test tube containing the other sample of soil from a depth of six feet having 

 been left undisturbed for a week, was, on examination, found to contain several 

 examples of slimy bodies of a lower organization than the amoeba, there being no 

 contractile vesicle, although generally one or more vacuoles were seen (c). Nearly 

 all of them contain molecular matter, which flows towards the portion of substance in 

 the act of being projected. Figures cii to cvii illustrate the various forms assumed 

 by one of these in the course of twenty minutes. They were not seen to divide, nor 

 did the protruded processes become amalgamated when they crossed each other. A 

 great number of vibriones developed in this solution, more so than I had observed 

 in any of the other specimens of soil examined, and were very active. These are 

 figured at ci, amongst which one of the just described monera is seen with extended 



