PART I.] Meaning of the Terms '^ Micro zy me s'' and ''Bacterial 163 



examination of a healthy dog specially with the object of elucidating this matter, 

 we found that the spleen was particularly affected ; there was a regular network of 

 Bacillus or Vihrio-\\k& rods throughout the substance of the organ. This appearance 

 very naturally suggested to us that the presence of " Bacteridia '" in " malignant pustule " 

 and " the blood," so frequently brought forward in support of the theory of the 

 causation of disease by vegetable organisms, may after all be more a consequence 

 than a cause ; a suggestion which receives support from the fact that Cohn refers 

 these particular " Bacteridia " to the genus Bacillus. 



In all our experiments and statements we have rigidly confined the use of the 

 terms bacteria and vibriones to bodies which, either by form, motion, or development, 

 have distinctly shown that they really were true bacteria of one form or other, and 

 have refrained from classing minute particles, granules, and molecules of undetermined 

 nature along with them. Many authors use the word " microzymes " to include a 

 heterogeneous mass of minute bodies, organic and inorganic, living and dead;* in 

 fact, any molecular or granular particles to be found in fresh or decomposing fluids 

 or tissues ; and many statements and theories regarding the production of disease are 

 founded on such arbitrary classification and vague nomenclature — 



" human pride 

 Is skilful to invent most serious names 

 To hide its ignorance." 



Moreover, the terms microzymes and bacteria are very commonly employed, as 

 though they were equivalent; whereas the one is a name invented to suit certain 

 theoretical views, whilst the other is a definite term employed in classification to 

 include certain low vegetable organisms ; hence it is evident that if all minute 

 particles of matter, even if only of organic and living matter, are to be called microzymes, 

 and that term then used and understood as equivalent to bacteria, great confusion 

 must be induced.f Dr. Beale has pointed this out very clearly when arguing in 

 favour of his views regarding the nature of " disease germs," but the confusion still 

 prevails, and owing to its existence and to the vague use of terms, it is very difficult 

 to estimate the value of many of the statements at present adduced as evidence of 

 the existence of bacteria in morbid fluids and tissues. 



There appears to be a tendency to assume on very insufficient grounds that such 

 organisms are necessarily the causes of all diseases of an epidemic or communicable 

 character, and, consequently, to recognize as vegetable parasites all minute particles 

 of an undetermined nature occurring in the fluids and tissues in such diseases ; but, 



* According to Bechamp, all the " granulations mol6culaires " visible in animal and vegetable tissues are 

 " microzymes," or germs capable of evolving bacteria. Such bodies are, according to him, constantly present in 

 the blood of animals, the fibrine being merely a false membrane formed of microzymes, the life of which is not 

 destroyed by an exposure to the influence of boiling with water, as is proved, in his opinion, by their subsequent 

 development into bacteria, and action as ferments when submitted to suitable conditions. — Comptes Rendus, 

 Tomes LX, LXVIII, LXIX. 



f On this point vidf Dr. Burdon- Sanderson's remarks at the British Association, 1873. 



