426 



Anniversary Meetiny. 



[Nov. 30, 



that the liquids in question are rendered completely incapable of pro- 

 ducing Bacteria, without extrinsic contamination, by exposing them to 

 higher temperature. The only points of difference between us, either as 

 regards method or result, are, first, that the sterilization limit (" Grenze 

 zur Bacterienerzeugung") fixed by me was too low, the true limit being 

 110° C. ; and, secondly, that the experiments from which I had inferred 

 that the liquids in question had been sterilized at lower temperatures 

 than this were, in Prof. Huizinga's opinion, rendered inconclusive by the 

 fact that my flasks were sealed hermetically, whereas in his exchange of 

 air was allowed to take place, during the period of incubation, through a 

 septum of porous porcelain. To this last objection I might perhaps 

 have thought it my duty to answer, had it not been shown by the sub- 

 sequent researches of Grscheidlen to have no bearing on the question at 

 issue. As regards the limit of sterilization, I can entertain no doubt as 

 to the accuracy of Huizinga's measurements, and am quite willing to 

 accept 108° C. as the lowest temperature which, could be safely employed 

 under the conditions laid down by him. 



It will be understood that in bringing these facts before the Society 

 my only purpose is to show, as I trust I have done conclusively, that the 

 statements which Dr. Tyndall in 1876 characterized as incautious, and 

 which he virtually invited me to retract, had been two years before 

 confirmed in every particular by experimenters of acknowledged com- 

 petence. 



November 30, 1877. 

 ANNIVEBSAEY MEETING. 

 Sir JOSEPH HOOKER, C.B., K.C.S.I., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. Abel, for the Auditors of the Treasurer's Accounts on the part of 

 the Society, reported that the total receipts during the past year, includ- 

 ing a balance of £150 18s. lid. carried from the preceding year, amount 

 to £7056 14s. 4c?.; and that the total expenditure in the same period 

 amounts to £6123 3s. del., leaving a balance at the Bankers' of £923 4s., 

 and £10 7s. Id. in the hands of the Treasurer. 



The thanks of the Society were voted to the Treasurer and Au- 

 ditors. 



starch, 0*3 per cent, of peptones, and 1 per cent, of amnionic tartrate. As in my ex- 

 periments, the flasks were heated in a Papin's pot, of which the temperature was 102° O. 

 Even after half an hour's exposure to this temperature all the flasks became in two or 

 three days " stark triibe und voll Bacterien " (third paper, p. 555, January, 1374). 



