The Germ Theory , &c. 
[December, 
724 
that consumption is transmissible from one person to ano- 
ther, we shall at least know how to prevent or greatly to 
limit its propagagation. Henceforth intermarriage with a 
phthisical person will be not only a physical sin, endangering 
the health of possible children, but a case of constructive 
suicide. Can none of our ethical writers, so concerned 
about virtue and happiness, see their way to enforcing this 
truth ? Again, it will become not merely policy, but duty, 
on the part of those who live in the same house with a con- 
sumptive patient, to take jealous care not to contract, and 
ultimately to propagate, the disease. No one should share 
the bed, or even the bed-room, of the patient; the bed- and 
body-linen should not be washed along with those of other 
persons, and should, after washing, be stoved with sulphur, 
or be taken through a solution of sodium bisulphite, slightly 
acidulated with hydrochloric acid. The matter expectorated, 
which is the chief source of danger, should be received in 
spittoons charged with some powerful disinfectant, — say 
carbolic sulphite ; the contents should be emptied not into 
the dust-bin, but into the fire. As far as possible people 
should, when travelling in public conveyances, avoid sitting 
next to or opposite to any person who has a cough. Tram- 
cars and railway carriages are bad enough, but the greatest 
danger is in the inside of an omnibus, where the passengers 
on opposite sides are brought so unpleasantly near to each 
other. 
Neither Mr. Thomson nor any of the distinguished physi- 
cians who have since verified and extended his discovery 
have been, as yet, able to lay down a definite process for the 
treatment of consumption. But the profession know now, 
at least, in what direction to look. The remedy must be a 
“ germicide,” — a destroyer of the lower and more minute 
forms of life. It is fortunate, we may here remark, that the 
Microzymes or Bacilli, which occasion both fevers and 
phthisis, are pronounced by high authorities to be of vege- 
table nature. Were they animals we should perhaps find 
“ Zoo-folly ” protesting on their behalf. Some sage would 
make the notable discovery that they “ have equal rights ” 
with ourelves, which “ are in no case to be hastily and un- 
fairly set aside.” Perhaps the day may come when a license 
from the Secretary of State will be needed before a physician 
dare administer an anthelmintic medicine to his patient. 
But the germs of phthisis being, as we have said, plants, 
have no “ rights,” and may be dealt with at pleasure. 
It is a sad but curious faCb that Mr. Thomson has earned 
small thanks in Melbourne by his discovery. We do not, 
