The Romance of Tuberculosis. 71 



fly, and if I find myself in the body of either man or animal I 

 must have been blown there by the wind, or introduced by the 

 careless and filthy habits of the individual. For the rest, I have 

 but obeyed the law of nature, that the fittest survives. But 

 allow me to point out to you that the death of my host, far from 

 being my object, is to me an unmitigated calamity. For, being 

 buried with him in the earth, I soon follow him into decay for 

 want of warmth and food. I have my place in nature, as you 

 have yours, and if you will not compel me to enter your bodies, 

 I am content to remain outside, fulfilling my function in some 

 other fashion. But after examining all the facts, can you say I 

 have been an unmitigated evil % I have altered the destiny of 

 many an individual. I have had an effect, not always for the 

 worse, but often for the better, on art, music, and literature. I 

 have called out and developed tender sympathies and loving 

 devotion that otherwise might have lain dormant, and if now you 

 understand that I am an accompaniment of poverty, crowded 

 housing, careless and dirty personal habits, and of Cain-like 

 indifference to brotherly feelings, and if, understanding this, you 

 recognize the necessity for more and better food, for decent 

 housing accommodation, for parental solicitude for little children, 

 for personal cleanliness, and if, realizing this necessity, you are 

 resolved to remedy these evil conditions so far as lies in your 

 power, you will at one stroke have removed the opportunity of 

 which I — with a horde of other evil spirits of infectious diseases 

 — have taken advantage, and you will at the same time have laid 

 the foundation of a happier and healthier humanity." The 

 lecturer went on to say that he thought the jury, having heard 

 such a speech, would bring in a verdict of " guilty, but with 

 extenuating circumstances." It might be well, however, to take 

 the admonition of the bacillus to heart, and to put his suggestions 

 into practice. He had mentioned in his speech a circumstance 

 that had not commonly been noted — that of the effect which he 

 had had upon the arts and literature. Might he (Dr. Trimble) 

 say at once that he believed there was a great deal of 



