244 DR. ARTHUR RANSOME ON THE 



I have also searched with the microscope several of the 

 specimens of aqueous vapour from the lungs. 



In all of them epithelium^ in different stages of deteri- 

 oration, was abundantly present ; but very few spores 

 were found in any fresh specimen. On the other hand, 

 after the fluid had been kept for 24 or 36 hours, even in a 

 cold room during the recent cold weather, myriads of 

 vibriones and many spores were found. 



In a case of diphtheria, straight- celled confervoid fila- 

 ments were noticed in addition ; and in 2 other cases, i of 

 measles and i of hooping cough, abundant specimens of a 

 small round-celled conferva, like the Penicillium glaucum, 

 were found, and these were seen to increase in size and in 

 numbers for 2 days, after which they ceased to develop. 



These differences in the nature of the bodies met with 

 are interesting, as showing some occult differences in the 

 nature of the fluid given off' in the several cases ; but many 

 additional observations would be needed before we could 

 draw any inferences from them. 



They certainly do not as yet afford any proof of the 

 germ theory of disease, nor do they justify the alarming 

 doctrines which some persons would draw from them ; 

 they simply point to the readiness with which the aqueous 

 vapour of the breath ferments or putrefies ; and they show 

 the danger of overcrowding, and the paramount import- 

 ance of ventilation. 



