INFLUENCE OF ELECTRICITY ON MICRO- 
ORGANISMS 
GEORGE E. STONE 
(WITH TWO FIGURES) 
The influence of electricity on the higher plants has been studied 
for many years, and there is considerable literature pertaining to this 
subject. The writer has carried on investigations in this line for 
many years, and some of the results have been published from time 
to time. 
Little or no attention, so far as we know, has been given to the 
study of the influence of electricity on the growth and multiplication 
of microorganisms, and it is our purpose to present in this paper the 
results of some of our investigations of the past two or three years. 
Microorganisms are favorable types with which to experiment, 
since they respond very quickly to stimuli, and, as might be expected, 
the results are more pronounced than is the case with the higher plants, 
where growth is relatively slower. The investigations given in this 
Paper were made on microorganisms common to water, milk, and 
soils, and some experiments were made with yeast. In some instances 
the natural flora common to water, milk, soils, etc., was used, and in 
others we experimented with pure cultures. 
Influence of electricity on bacteria in water 
Our first experiments with the influence of electricity on micro- 
Organisms were undertaken in connection with those common to 
water, and were designed with the object of rendering stagnant water 
more wholesome by a system of electrical treatment. Our studies 
had not extended very far, however, before we found that, instead 
of being decreased by means of this treatment, the bacteria increased 
€normously, especially when weak currents were employed. In this 
series we made use of the natural bacterial flora of water, while in 
others isolated species were experimented with. The experiments 
Were made in glass jars, in some cases those of rectangular form being 
used, and in others a wide-mouthed bottle. For the purpose of 
Measuring currents we made use of a Weston milliammeter and the 
359) [Botanical Gazette, vol. 48 
