154 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BACTERIA. 



The first experiments of Davaine brought him 

 to the following conclusions : " The effects of pu- 

 trefying substances do not go beyond the animal 

 into which these substances are injected. The 

 toxic agent of putrid matters does not regen- 

 erate itself. Putrefaction acts upon the animal 

 economy as a poison." The first opinion should 

 have for it the authority of Robin. Already in 

 1864, Leplat and Jaillart, after a series of inoc- 

 ulations made with septic blood, arrived at de- 

 ductions analogous to those of Robin. At the 

 same epoch, Billroth and Weber, having injected 

 the gases of putrefaction, expressed the opinion 

 that the septic agent was of a molecular nature 

 (particulate). Bergmann, of Dorpat, admitted as 

 contagious agent an azotized substance, not organ- 

 ized, resisting alcohol and ether at a tempera- 

 ture of 100°, and passing through filters. This 

 theory was identical with that of Panum. It is 

 to Pasteur that the honor belongs of having first 

 affirmed the parasitic nature of septicemia. This 

 communication was followed by confirmatory ex-' 

 periments by Coze and Feltz. These experiment- 

 ers also proved that the bacteria of putrid blood 

 do not possess the property of traversing the epi- 

 thelium, and that " the infectious element gains 

 in passing through similar organisms." In 1868, 

 Davaine, changing his first opinion, admitted the 

 presence of bacteria in the blood of animals which 

 die of septicemia. Hallier of Jena and Be'champ 

 of Montpelier also believe in the presence of a 

 micro-organism, — Micrococcus for Hallier, Micro- 

 zyma for Be'champ. 



