The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-22
Ig,ous element is possessed Of vital proper

ties, and has q participate form.
| Traced the growth Of the germ theory OF
disease from the labors OF Pastern. who de-
monstrated that the processes OF fermenta-
tion and putrefation were produced by
minute organisms, and the confirmatory
observations that the disease affecting the
sllk-worms and the numerous blights and
murrains affecting plants and cereals were
produced by microscopic growths.
From analogy it has been reasoned that
contagious diseases In the human body are
often produced by the same means. De-
scription OF the organisms that have gene
rally been recognized as the agents OF con-
tagion-barteria-bu as it has been shown
that these exist IN various parts Of the body
in health, and are but rarely found in the
blood or tissues in greater quantities
in disease than in health, it is evident
they have not the active agency in pro-
ducing disease they have been credited with.
The only diseased conditions Of the body in
| which their presence has any special sig-
nificance are diphtheria and in wounds that
have become putrid. In both these condi-
tions they exist in vast numbers; but the
organisms that are the causes OK the acute
| infectious diseases are allied to bacteria,
| but in most cases so minute as to be Invisible
with any aids to sight that we possess. The
evidence in favor OF the active principle OF
contagion being molecular cited. Chaveau
showed that the fluid portion of vaccine
virus has not the power OF reproducing the
vesicle, but that this property resides in
minute granules that may be seen under the
microscope. The virus of the cattle-plague,
| when injected into the veins Of animals, re-
produced the disease. When filtered the
portion passing through was inGocuous.
| That remaining on the filter was as Yirulent
as the original fluid.
| Burden Sanderscn made numerous SINH
| lar experiments on dogs. The original
| liquid which produced the disease always
contained molecules. The filtrate was al
ways free from them and always innocu-
ous. TyndalI showed by the electric blows
that the atmosphere is filled with molecules
too fine to be seen with any aids to sight
that we possess, and that the entrance OF
these into fluids are the causes OF putrefac-
| ton. These observations clearly establish
the participate granular or molecular char
actcr OF contagion, and that it is neither
gaseous or soluble.
That these particles possess vital proper
ties may be properly inferred from the
power Of reproduction that they possess.
This is an attribute OF organic structure only
and does not attend any chemical or ply
sical process that we know Of. The small
est particle OF the contagion introduced
into the system will reproduce itself, and
multiply as long as ittinds in the surround
ing medium the conditions necessary for its
development.
The portability OF contagion is strong
evidence Of both its participate and vital
character. Nothing else Will explain how
il can be retained under circumstances un-
favorable for retaining gaseous substances,
and when exposed to favorable surround
ings reproduce itself.
The essential symptoms OF fever are waste
OF the nitrogenouS tissues, consumption Of
water, increase Of temperature and OF the
rapidity OF the circulation. There is stri-
king analogy between these conditions and
those required for the development OF the
low organisms to which disease germs are
supposed to be allied; and the germ theory
supposes that their development in the sys-
tenn explains the symptoms of fever.
The fact that these germs, cannot be seen
is no evidence against their existence. Or
ganisms too small to be seen by the mi
croscope may rs we'll exist Us stars too small
to be seen by the telescope.
CONSTANT PROGRESSION OF OPINIONS IN RE-
GARD TO THE CAUSE OF DISEASE.
A general belief formerly existed that dis
eases originated spontaneously. 1t is now
known that the epidemics Of the plague and
the smallpox that formerly dccmated
Europe did not arise spontaneously, and
that while unsanitary conditions favor the
extension of the disease in an enormous de-
gree. they cannot originate it without the
introduction OF the specific germ. Most
forms OF contagion perish readily in pure
air; therefore free exposure to the atmo-
sphere is the best dlsinfectant. But the
same experiments that demonstrated the
participate character Of contagion showed
that some forms retained their power Of
infection for many months after being dried
ut high temperature.
The importance Of investigating the spe-
cial characteristics of each virus, and OF as
certaining the conditions faVoring the de-
velopmcnt and destruction OF the contagious
element, and the important bearing these
have Oh the problems that sanitary science
has to deal with, are too apparent to require
that should deal farther with them.
The papers OF Drs. Richardson and White
were illustrated with mcro-p photographs
and specimens, were listened to with attcn-
ton, and generally declared to be the most
satisfactory yet presented.
Adjourned at 2:30 until 7:30.
For time during the morning session
Professor J. l.. CabcIl, OF the University OF
Virginia, presided over the Association.
Night Session.
The Association met at night Mt Associa-
tion Hall Mozart Hall being occupied by
the Musical Society. Judge Meredith pre-
sided. .... ..
The Executive Committee presented the
following for information OF the Associa-
ton E: .i.
ReSolued, That the several committees
appointed to report on the communications
made by the Yellow-Fever Commission be
and they are hereby instructed to consider
all these communications as merely prelimi-
nary, verbal statements, and not as formal
reports or papers presented to the Associa-
ton.
3. That the chairmen of these several
committees are hereby constituted as sepa-
rate committee, and directed to prepare
with the least possible delay few brief,
clear propositions with regard to the cause
and best methods OF prevention OF yellow
fever, TO serve as a basis for discussion in
the body Of the Association.
REPORT ON YELLOw-FEvER REPORT.
Dr.. Billings read the following:
The committee to which was referred the
general report of the Yellow-Fever Com
mission has examined said report, and re.
spectfully returns tito the Executive Com
mittee, with the following remarks: "
/. That it is evident that the Yellow Fever
Commission has exercised great diligence
in collecting data with regard to the late
epidemic, and shat its labors in this direc-
ton deserve the full appreciation OF the
American Public-Heslth Association.
2. That the preliminary conclusions pre-
sented by the Commission are in accordance