182 Transactions of the Society. 



harm to the organisms. Direct sunlight and air, by drying up 

 bacteria, destroy them. Some bacilli, those of anthrax for instance, 

 which exist in serous matter from anthrax tumours, may be dried at 

 a temperature of 32° C. = 89° • 6 F., and then exposed to 100° C. = 

 212° F. It is stated that not only do the organisms resist heat, 

 but become able to resist antiseptic agents. They do not, however, 

 appear to act as definitely as before, but they produce modified 

 anthrax. Following on these results, those of M. Chauveau are 

 very interesting. He mixed a sterilized infusion of meat with the 

 blood of cattle disease, and placed the mixture first in a tempe- 

 rature of 42-43° C, and then to 47° C. It appeared subsequently 

 that although the vital activity of the bacillus was not interfered 

 with, its capacity for acting as a disease-producer was destroyed. 



One of the most suggestive observations on bacteria has been that 

 which indicates that they act as starch and diastase in the absence 

 of other carbon nutriment, and that the action on starch is efi'ected 

 by a ferment secreted by them, and which like diastase is soluble 

 in water, but precipitable by alcohol. This ferment acts as diastase, 

 changing the starch into a sugar capable of reducing cupric oxide, 

 but not possessed of peptonizing properties. It is to be hoped 

 that after all this searching after bacteria and after these recondite 

 experiments have been conducted over again, that some definite 

 study of the bacteria of a locality where such diseases as ague 

 prevail will be undertaken. The whole history of the disease 

 points to a bacterian origin, and there should be no difficulty in 

 examining the secretions with a view of thoroughly investigating 

 the organism. 



A paper lately read before the Koyal Society proves that solu- 

 tion of quinine is fatal to certain bacteria, even to those of phthisis, 

 and the well-known influence of that drug over ague should 

 stimulate therapeutists to investigation. 



There have been two communications to the Society on special 

 methods of preserving delicate organisms for the use of the 

 Microscope, which are of exceptional interest and value. Mr. 

 Lovett has explained his intelligent method of using what he 

 properly calls a judicious admixture of various proportions of 

 alcohol, glycerine, and water to Haentsche's fluid, which consists 

 of alcohol absolute 3 parts, pure glycerine 2 parts, and 1 part 

 distilled water. Limnocodium Sowerhii, the wonderful medusoid 

 which, living in fresh water at 85° Fahr., is such a marvel so 

 far as its origin is concerned, has become preservable, thanks to 

 Mr. Squire's weak solution of bichloride of mercury. There is 

 no doubt that this medium will be further employed. Mr. Saville 

 Kent has suggested the use of weak solutions of potassic iodide 

 for preserving infusoria, and Mr. Waddington has contributed a 

 paper on the use of tannin in showing infusoria. 



