ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 931 



corresponding cultures obtained by Koch from true cholera. Still, 

 differences occurred in respect of the successive stages of evolution, 

 which inferentially affects the question ,of the permanent form of the 

 germs. After some time they become thicker, and assume the form 

 of a Tvhetstone, while at both extremities spore-like forms make their 

 appearance, and take the shape of spore-bearers. Both spores are 

 presently extruded from the spore-bearers, and begin to crawl about 

 under the Microscope. They assume the foi-m first of straight, then of 

 crooked rods, which develope into spirals of diverse shape, length, 

 and curvature. Becoming thicker and swollen, these spirals in their 

 final evolution seem to consist exclusively of small comma bacilli. 

 But whereas the comma of Asiatic cholera, at least according to Koch's 

 investigations, developes no permanent form, these acquire a stability 

 in the spore state capable of resisting the process of putrefaction. Their 

 behaviour, however, when being desiccated or subjected to chemical 

 agents has not yet been tested by Professor Fiukler. Between the 

 prepared specimens of cholera nostras and true cholera bacilli 

 exhibited under the Microscope, no optical difference could be detected. 

 Owing to the attitude of most German physicians, who regard it as a 

 patriotic duty to hold Koch's doctrine as unassailable, while the 

 German scientific journals persistently ignore the objections urged by 

 eminent foreign investigators against the theory, Prof. Finkler's 

 statements have naturally excited considerable sensation. In any 

 case a severe blow was given to the assumption of Koch's infalli- 

 bility, although Prof. Finkler and Dr. Prior have so far failed to 

 determine the true pathogenetic and pathognostic functions of their 

 cholera nostras comma bacillus, as completely as Koch has for his 

 Asiatic cholera comma bacillus. 



Prof. E. Ray Lankester* does not " hesitate to say : (1) that Koch's 

 comma bacillus is not comma-shaped ; (2) that it is not a bacillus but 

 a spirillum ; (3) that although it does sometimes (but not always) 

 occur abundantly in the intestines of cholera patients, there is not a 

 tittle of evidence to show that it causes cholera, no experimental attempt 

 to produce cholera by its agency having succeeded. These conclu- 

 sions are derived from Dr. Koch's own statements. While Dr. Koch 

 is, as was to be expected, perfectly candid and convincing in the 

 account which he gives of his observations, the extraordinary feature 

 in his report is the dogmatic declaration that this organism, which is 

 not in any way proved to possess disease-producing powers, neverthe- 

 less must and shall be henceforth regarded as the cause of cholera. 

 Dr. T. Lewis, who for many years studied microscopically the 

 intestines and evacuations of cholera patients in Calcutta, has demon- 

 strated, since the publication of Koch's report, that the so-called 

 comma-shaped bacillus is identical in form with one occurring com- 

 monly in the mouths of healthy persons." 



Dr. Koch is said to have succeeded in communicating cholera to a 

 number of rabbits by inoculating them with pure cultures of the 



• Pall Mall Gazette, 6tli October, 1884, pp. 1-2. Sec also ' Times,' 19th Nov., 

 1884. 



