Literarische Besprechungen. 211 
sed bodies, accompanied by the growth of cells of a fungoid cha- 
racter, supposed to be active agents in the process.“ 
The Fungi which were generated in the fluids were the com- 
mon forms which occur generally in decomposing fluids, and as 
regards the more minute bodies above mentioned their nature is 
not at present accurately known. It is true Mr. Ravenel informs 
us that Dr. Hallier raised from the blood and bile of diseased 
animals an organism which he calls Coniothecium Stilesianum, of 
which he says, ,,Perhaps you may succeed in finding out the places 
where Coniothecium grows in Nature. At all events, it is a para- 
sitic Fungus growing on plants, and to be looked for in the food ° 
of the wild bullocks.“ This is, however, jumping to a conclusion 
in the same way as he did with respect to the supposed origin of 
cholera from a Fungus derived from Rice plants; and, after all, 
the supposed Coniothecium may merely be a form of some of 
the common moulds, and may have as little to do with the genus 
as the much talked-of Urocystus had with respect to the Urocystus*) 
occulta of Rabenhorst. 
We feel very thankful to Dr. Billings and his colleagues 
for their patient investigation, as it is highly important that atten- 
tion should not be drawn off from more rational views by mere 
fanciful notions. The following observations are worthy of atten- 
tion: — 
„It seems probable, in view of the results of the above ex- 
periments, that some of the Bacteria and Micrococcus germs are 
really fungoid in character, and capable of development into hig- 
her forms. 
As was stated at the beginning, the object was to deter- 
mine the presence, and as far as possible the nature, of these 
germs. The query as to the connection between them and disease, 
whether they should be considered as specific causes of the di- 
sease or as carriers of contagion, or as the signs of the destruction 
of vitality of a part of the fluid or tissues in which they are 
found, said destruction being due to some other cause, is one of 
ereat interest, for the answering of which, however, the lancet and 
injection tube will probably be far more efficacious than the micro- 
scope and ‚culture apparatus‘.“. M. J. B. 
*) Sic! Anm. d. Red: 
