ESSAYS ON BACTERIOLOGY. 97 



justify a hopeful view of the measure. Hia investi- 

 gations will be continued under government aid, and 

 we shall look with interest for the publication of re- 

 sults from time to time. 



The injection of the erysipelas toxin in malignant 

 disease has been continued by many observers in this 

 country and in Europe. It still appears from this 

 experience that the treatment does have considerable 

 retarding or curative effect in sarcoma, but little if 

 any in carcinoma. In general, however, there seems 

 to be less promise in the measure than a year ago. 



The influenza bacillus seems to have established it- 

 seK in the opinion of most bacteriologists as the true 

 germ of la grippe, and several observers have ex- 

 pressed a high opinion of its diagnostic value. 

 . The siibject of cancer and its possible microbic ori- 

 gin has engaged the attention of many investigators, 

 and various claims to a discovery of the specific caus- 

 ative agent have been made. But most of the so- 

 called cancer germs have been shown to be only bodies 

 appearing during and resulting from the normal or 

 abnormal cellular changes which occur in or about 

 the growth. The germ of cancer, if such exist, has 

 not yet found an established place in bacteriology. 

 From the far west, from the rising empire of Japan, 

 comes the news confirming that announced before, 

 that Kitasato had discovered, cultivated and proven 

 the specific character of the microbe of the bubonic 



