ioo Fermentation and Kindred Phenomena. 



them under glass bell jars (ordinary propagating glasses do admir- 

 ably) on blotting paper moistened with weak corrosive sublimate 

 solution. The spores of the organisms are deposited from the 

 air on the potato slices, and after a few days develop into 

 coloured particles or colonies which rapidly increase in size. 



Organisms of Disease. — I come now to perhaps the most 

 interesting and important part of my subject, viz : — to the con- 

 nection which exists between certain organisms and some of the 

 most serious diseases to which men and animals are prone. 



That such a connection does exist has, I think, been very 

 clearly and definitely established, and the question which now 

 presents itself to medical men is not so much, are any diseases 

 caused by organisms ? but rather what diseases are not caused 

 by them ? I shall endeavour as briefly as possible to explain 

 the facts and arguments which have led scientific men to the 

 conclusion that certain diseases are caused by the introduction 

 into the system, and subsequent development, and rapid 

 multiplication of particular species of the schizomycetes. 



I believe that the first observation tending in this direction 

 was made by two French doctors, Messrs. Rayer and Davaine, 

 to the effect that the blood of animals dead of splenic fever teems 

 with minute rod-like bodies resembling the bacilli found in hay 

 infusion. 



This disease is one of the most deadly of those which are 

 incidental to live stock, either sheep or oxen, and is remarkable 

 for the suddenness of its appearance, and the rapidity of its 

 action. A day or two, or in many cases only a few hours elapse 

 from the time of its first symptoms to the fatal termination. 

 Man at times is subject to it — especially those who are engaged 

 in handling raw wool — whence the name tl wool sorter's disease," 

 or " malignant pustule " as it is also called. 



Rayer and Davaine made their observation in 1851, but at 

 the time they do not appear to have laid any great stress on it. 

 It was subsequently confirmed in Germany in 1857, by Pollender 

 and Brauell. At that time, however, the entire subject of 

 micro-organisms was in its infancy, their nature and effects 

 were not understood, and no doubt it would have appeared 



