1887.] Dr A. B. Griffiths on Micro-Organisms. 45 
contain the germs of phthisis ; (2) that these germs are capable of 
travelling a distance of over 200 miles, and then growing, when a 
suitable medium and temperature (36° - 39° C.) are provided for 
them. 
yi. Electrical Experiments on the Bacillus tuherculosis 
AND ITS Spores. 
The action of the electric current upon the vitality of various 
micro-organisms has been very little studied ; therefore, perhaps, 
the following notes may he of interest. 
The experiments were performed on pure cultivations of micro- 
organisms growing in fluid blood serum (slightly alkaline), and 
other media. (See fig. 9, representing the general arrangements). 
Fig. 9. — Electrical Experiments on the Vitality oi Bacillus tuherculosis and 
its spores, &;c.- A = a tube containing growing bacilli in sterilised fluid 
blood serum slightly alkaline. 
(1) Bacterium lactis, growing in previously sterilised milk, is 
killed by an E.M.F. of 2*26 volts. 
(2) Bacterium acetic growing in previously sterilised alcohol (7 
per cent.), is killed by an E.M.F. of 3 '24 volts. 
(3) Bacillus tuherculosis, growing in previously sterilised fluid 
blood serum, is killed by an E.M.F. of 2T6 volts. 
The temperature of the room was 16° C. After allowing the 
current to pass for 10 minutes in each case, ten tubes containing 
sterilised fluid blood serum were inoculated from the “ electrified ” 
