SCIENCE LETTER FROM PARIS. 545 



family, but there is a difference in the species. When inoculation, for example, 

 takes place with the microbe derived from the charbon symptomatic, a large 

 tumor is formed, and carbonic acid generated in the interstices of the tissue — 

 hence the tension and sonority of the tumor when struck; there is, however, 

 nothing putrid, for when the tumor is opened only the gas mentioned escapes. 

 Hence, there is an affinity between contagious fermentations and those that take 

 place external to living bodies. A second difference between fever charbon, 

 which produces hardly any tumor after inoculation, and the symptomatic is, 

 that in the former, when the microbe is introduced into the blood, fever is rapid- 

 ly induced, ending in a short time fatally. In the latter, the microbe produces 

 but a moderate and ephemeral fever, never fatal, but not the less so profoundly 

 affecting the system as to protect the animal against death, as the injection into 

 the veins of animalcule confers immunity on the beast. Professors Arloing and 

 Cornevin have identified their names with the method of inoculation for the symp- 

 tomatic dissease, and which preserves the animal from the contagion; their ex- 

 periments have taken place in public, and with uniform success ; stock vaccinated 

 lived; stock non-inoculated, died. M. Pasteur's method consists in specially 

 preparing the virus or pock by artificial means; the Professors take the virus in 

 its natural state, and inject it directly into the veins — it becomes mortal if intro- 

 duced into the tissues — the blood thus forming the medium for changing the virus 

 into a vaccine; that is where their process differs from Pasteur's, and which is 

 tantamount to a real discovery. Professors Arloing and Cornevin are also of 

 opinion, that a cow inoculated during the early stages of gestation, can confer 

 immunity on the offspring. Often an animal not inoculated, but living with ani- 

 mals that have been, escapes contagion; this is presumed to be due to sponta- 

 neous vaccination. Farmers having asserted, that cattle when over three years 

 old escape the symptom ac charbon disease, the Professors tested the tradition by 

 experiment and found it to be correct. 



Is there any antidote against the venom of serpents ? Up to the present 

 caustic potash was considered an efficacious remedy. According to M. de Quat- 

 refages, M. de Lacerdo, of Rio Janeiro, finds permanganate of potash absolutely 

 a perfect antidote. Dogs, into whose tissue or veins, the virus of serpent poison 

 had been introduced, died more or less rapidly; but others invariably lived if 

 dosed with permanganate. This would appear to corroborate the views of M. Pas- 

 teur, viz : the oxidation of venom modifies its toxical qualities. It is to be hoped 

 the experiments will be pushed to find an antidote against rabic virus. 



Game, birds especially, possess a flesh very appetizing, fine and energetically 

 reparative, which is easy to digest, and suits well-debilitated stomachs ; the same 

 cannot be said of venison, wild boar, etc. though possessing savory flesh, they 

 are exciting and heating. Game provokes the stomach to energetic action, in- 

 ducing the coats to secrete abundantly; it remains longer too in the stomach, is 

 more completely acted upon by the economy of digestion, and is largely assimilated 

 by the system, enriching the blood, and imparting stimulus and life to the organs. 

 However, a regimen composed exclusively of game, would ultimately prove as 



