ADDRESS. PA 
I was myself peculiarly interested by these observations of Metchni- 
koff’s, because they seemed to me to afford clear explanation of the healing 
of wounds by first intention under circumstances before incomprehensible. 
Complete primary union was sometimes seen to take place in wounds treated 
with water-dressing, that is to say, a piece of wet lint covered with a 
layer of oiled-silk to keep it moist. This, though cleanly when applied, was 
invariably putrid within twenty-four hours. The layer of blood between the 
cut surfaces was thus exposed at the outlet of the wound to a most potent 
septic focus. How was it prevented from putrefying, as it would have 
done under such influence if, instead of being between divided living 
tissues, it had been between plates of glass or other indifferent material ? 
Pasteur’s observations pushed the question a step further. It now was, 
How were the bacteria of putrefaction kept from propagating in the 
decomposable film? Metchnikoff’s phagocytosis supplied the answer. 
The blood between the lips of the wound became rapidly peopled with 
phagocytes, which kept guard against the putrefactive microbes and 
seized them as they endeavoured to enter, 
If phagocytosis was ever able to cope with septic microbes in so con- 
centrated and intense a form, it could hardly fail to deal effectually with 
them in the very mitigated condition in which they are present in the 
air. We are thus strongly confirmed in our conclusion that the atmo- 
spheric dust may safely be disregarded in our operations : and Metchni- 
koff’s researches, while they have illumined the whole pathology of 
infective diseases, have beautifully completed the theory of antiseptic 
treatment in surgery. 
I might have taken equally striking illustrations of my theme from other 
departments in which microbes play no part. In fact any attempt to 
speak of all that the art of healing has borrowed from science and con- 
tributed to it during the past half-century would involve a very extensive 
dissertation on pathology and therapeutics. I have culled specimens 
from a wide field ; and I only hope that in bringing them before you I 
have not overstepped the bounds of what is fitting before a mixed 
company. For many of you my remarks can have had little if any 
novelty : for others they may perhaps possess some interest as showing 
that Medicine is no unworthy ally of the British Association—that, while 
her practice is ever more and more based on science, the ceaseless efforts 
of her votaries to improve what have been fittingly designated Que 
prosunt omnibus artes, are ever adding largely to the sum of abstract 
knowledge. 
