336 
D. B. SALMON. 
doubt of this disease being produced by the multiplication within 
the body of the Bacillus Anthracis , a variety of bacteria. 
After patiently waiting a year to allow those who oppose the 
germ-theory ample time to place their objections to this evidence 
on record, without any such objection appearing, it may be conclud¬ 
ed that, up to this time at least, there are no substantial grounds for 
doubts. Still, we occasionally see elaborate articles intended to 
prove that the bacteria of contagious diseases are nothing more 
or less than one of the forms assumed by coagulating fibrin—that 
the micrococcus is granular fibrin, the bacillus, thread-like fibrin 
and the spirillum spiral fibrin ;* and although it may now be as¬ 
sumed that a majority of our scientific men are convinced of the 
truth of the germ-theory, the evidence upon which it rests is yet 
entirely too slight, if we except the single disease alluded to. 
As a working theory, we have seen more light thrown upon 
contagious fevers by its use for half a dozen years than was gain¬ 
ed before in the whole history of medicine ; but notwithstanding 
this, its true friends do not care to press its acceptance in advance 
of the actual results obtained by scientific investigations. Char- 
bon, as we have seen, is the foundation of our structure, and we 
may feel certain that this foundation is secure, and will never 
crumble beneath the successive additions that may, from time to 
time, be placed upon it. lias the time arrived, therefore, when 
we may confidently announce that the first story of the edifice 
has been reared upon the foundation, and that it is so well finish¬ 
ed as to be perfectly safe for use, and to serve in turn as a sup¬ 
port for future work ? The writer believes that this time has 
come, and will proceed at once to a consideration of the work 
accomplished. 
The domesticated fowds of various countries, including our 
own, are subject to a most virulent and fatal disease, which, year 
after year, almost depopulates the poultry yards of vast sections, 
and causes enormous aggregate losses. This disease may be com¬ 
municated to healthy fowls by placing these in the same enclo¬ 
sure with sick ones; by feeding them with the flesh or blood of 
*Rol]iu H. Gregg. M.D. No Bacteria in Diphtheria. — The Medical Record, 
