THE 
MONTHLY MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 
OCTOBER 1, 1876. 
I. — Bastian and Pasteur on Spontaneous Generation. 
By Henry J. Slack, F.G.S. 
(Taken as read before the Royal Microscopical Society, 1876.) 
In the July 10 number of ' Comptes Eendus' is a paper by 
Dr. Bastian, " On the Influence of Physico-chemical Forces in the 
Phenomenon of Fermentation," intended to demonstrate, in oppo- 
sition to the theory of atmospheric germs, that certain organic 
liquids contain complex chemical bodies which are capable of 
organization, and form different kinds of bacteria. 
In support of these notions he recites experiments on urine 
caused to boil, and screened from the influence of atmospheric 
germs. To determine the production of bacteria in this urine he 
introduced potash and oxygen, and subjected it to 122^ F. He 
states that, in numerous trials, urine previously rendered sterile, 
and heated as just stated, gave rise to bacteria. He found that a 
temperature of 122° F., though not generally considered favourable 
to fermentation, was so to the development of bacteria in urine and 
some other organic liquids. 
In tlie autumn of 1875 he says he found that urine, normal, 
and acid, rendered sterile by ebullition, became fertile in two or 
three days when exactly saturated by potash, without other con- 
tamination, and after being exposed to an elevated temperature. 
He further states that he took the most minute precautions to 
avoid the influence of germs that might have been in the potash 
or on the walls of the vessels employed, as well as those which the 
air might carry. 
He also states with regard to the influence of oxygen, that 
urine rendered sterile, neutralized by potash, and subjected to electric 
action through platina wires, gave remarkable results, fermenting 
rapidly at 122°, and becoming filled with bacteria in from seven 
to twelve hours. He considers these experiments overthrow the 
atmospheric germ theory, and cites Tyndall to the eflect that 
bacteria germs are destroyed by a temperature of 212° main- 
tained for a minute or two, as was the case with the fluids he 
used. 
In ' Comptes Eendus ' for July 17, M. Pasteur makes a very 
polite reply, tinged with a little irony, in the remark that the 
VOL. XVI. N 
