180 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BACTERIA. 



Of the Effects of Bacteria. — It would be rash 

 to attempt to-day to give a definite verdict upon 

 the greater or less noxiousness of the bacteria. 

 At the outset of the studies which disclosed their 

 presence in many pathological liquids, it was be- 

 lieved that we had finally found tbe true explana- 

 tion of the obscure phenomena which retard or 

 complicate the normal repair of wounds. But 

 what shall we think to-day of the redoubtable role 

 which was at first attributed to a microbe, when 

 we ascertain that its development is not fettered 

 by the clinical means which are most highly 

 praised ? These are • the difficulties of the prob- 

 lem upon which the future will, without doubt, 

 shed some light, but of which — I repeat it — not- 

 withstanding the amount of labor which they call 

 forth every day, it is not possible for us to form- 

 ulate the solution to-day. Let us try, however, to 

 indicate that which experiment has taught us 

 up to the present time. 



Upon the surface of a granulating wound, not 

 offering to absorption any vascular or lymphatic 

 orifice, it is to be believed that the microbe con- 

 stitutes only a very contingent danger. It may 

 multiply in greater or less degree, and will absorb 

 more or less oxygen, giving birth, perhaps, as a 

 result of chemical decompositions, to a virus upon 

 the surface of the wound, which, notwithstanding, 

 will arrive at cicatrization. But, if a solution of 

 continuity happens to break through the thick 

 layer of fleshy granulations, either by the spon- 

 taneous movements of the patient or by those 



