from an Afjricultural and Veterinary Point of View. 119 
are, in all probability, the active agents in the production of 
"navel ill" in lambs, "joint ill" in foals, and "heaves" (inflam- 
mation of the womb) in ewes, we can readily imagine how these 
serious conditions may be prevented by the exercise of a little 
care. One cause of abortion in cows is, with great likelihood, 
laid to the charge of germs ; and the so-called blood-poisoning, 
which so often follows surgical operations, injuries, and parturi- 
tion (puerperal or parturient fever), is due to the malevolent 
living atoms, which seem to be omnipresent, and are ever eager 
to commence their natural course of proliferation. To the 
surgeon, to the veterinary surgeon, and also to the agriculturist 
who breeds, rears, or employs animals, this knowledge is of 
great moment. To the latter, also, it is of additional impor- 
tance, seeing that the germs play a lively role in the dairy, in 
ensilage, in nitrification of soils, in the improvement or deterio- 
ration of food for animals, and in many other ways, which, until 
Pasteur began to throw light on them, were never suspected. 
Errors are almost inevitable in such a study as this of Bac- 
teriology, which is so difficult and intricate, and demands an 
excess of patience and powers of observation that are given to 
few. For it must be remembered that each of these micro- 
organisms has a clearly-defined part to play in the programme 
of Nature ; each has a chemical and distinct individuality, 
though in some instances it may be within a narrow compass, 
and though the differential anatomical or structural peculiarities 
of each may be most difficult, if not impossible in some cases, to 
find out. They each have their affinities or predilections for 
nutriment, locality — whether in or out of the body — and their 
special mode of finding access to a suitable habitat and develop- 
ment there. Only with the most laborious care, and special 
management and processes, can some of them be rendered visible. 
We may therefore conceive something of the magnitude of 
the task which investigators in this wide and only partially- 
explored region have to encounter, especially when we learn 
that as many as 50,000 of some of these bodies would be 
required to make up the bulk of a small cheese-mite. To have 
accomplished so much and so thoroughly in this direfction — to 
have been the pioneer in investigations which have already 
revolutionised medical 'doctrine, and greatly added to our 
knowledge of natural phenomena — to have effected large 
economies in important industries and agricultural operations ; — 
but, above all, to have given us the means of averting or re- 
sisting the most baneful and pestilent diseases, is the honour to 
which Pasteur is entitled, and which will be gratefully accorded 
him now, and in still larger measure hereafter. 
