Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1883-03-31
WONDERFUL REVELATIONS OF THE
MICROACOPE.

WONDERFUL REVELATIONS OF THE
MICROSCOPE.
Discovery of the Most Deadly Enemy Of
Manlkind---The Bacillus and Its RavaRes.
The scientific world has been greatly
startled and agitate1 of late by the discovery
with the microscope of the most dreadful
enemy of mankind in the form of myriads of
little death-dealing parasites. The air we
breathe and live in is charged with these
deadly little growths in proportion as it
is infected from various noYious sources.
Having by recent experiments and research
been shown to be the most fruitful cause
of disease known, and the welfare and
health of every individual depending SO
largely on the freedom from their destruc-
tive ravages, it is but natural that the re-
ports of recent Investigators in this field Of
scientific inquiry should be widely read, and
that every phase of these astounding discov-
cries should be subject to universal discuss
ion. At first received with some suspicion
they have at length been thoroughly proven,
and are now receiving the unqualified in
dorsement of the leading scientific men
throughout the world. But little else is
talked of in the schools and clubs of science,
and the medical and scientific journals are
crowded with the testimony that is being
added corroborative of the value of the mar
velous discovery which is pronounced the
greatest advance in medical science of mod
eTn times.
To l.. PAsrEUR, the eminent French
scientist, who by his learned Investigations
has saved TO France so many millions of dol
lars, is probably due the honor of first point
ing out the terrible power of these germs
In recognition of his great service the govern
ment has recently voted him from the public
treasury $4,000, with which to continue his
experiments. He has described several va
rieties of these parasites, some comparatively
harmless, others extremely dangerous. One
form he proved by a series of vaccinations
and other conclusive experiments was the
cause of death of many thousands of ami
mails and herds of cattle; another the active
agent in the death of fowls by cholera. Act
ing upon the knowledge he had gained of
the nature of these germs, he pointed out a
means of relief that speedily prevented a
spread of the diseases and ended their devas-
tation.
TYNDALL with the aid of other eminent
English Investigators, made number of ex-
aminations of the floating particles in the
atmosphere, and found numbers of living
spores capable of producing disease. In dry
and healthy localities but few germs were
found, and these of the harmless varieties,
while in low damp places, crowded houses
and unhealthy cities, the poisonous germs
we're extremity numerous everywhere.
DIR RUDOLPH Koch, of Wallstein, Ger
many, man whose work in connection with
the organisms of contagious diseases has
made f.m q recognized authority upon the
subjecs, by experimenting after the methods
of VnLEMIN, has discovered and published
an account of one of the most dangerous
varieties, to which it is proven more deaths
are due than to any disease incident to the
human race.
He describes it as simple cellular organ
ism belonging to the same order as the BAG
terra. When dried the germs may, without
losing any vitality, endure great extremes of
temperature. Being as fine and as light as
dust, invisible to the naked eye, they may be
blown any distance by the wind or carried
upon the clothing or body. Like seeds, they
may lie for months or years undisturbed
upon the furniture, floor, carpets, curtains,
walls, or in the bedding, and only requiring
a proper degree of warmth. moisture and
food to waken into life, develop and grow.
They thrive and live in the blood, lymph,
mucus and secretions of the human
body. When the system is unhealthy
or weak they attack the cells that make up
the animal frame. Any albuminous fluid
will furnish them with food for growth. and
a single drop is sufficient to contain hun
dreds. Examined with microscopes of great
power, which enlarge them so that they can
be seen and studied, they have the appear
ance of minute rod-like bodies having, when
active, some power of motion. They bend in
the middle like bow and straighten with a
jerk that sends them few times their own
length. At the temperature of the human
body they are the most active.
Their power of increase or reproduction is
remarkably great. One germ in few weeks
time, under favorable conditions, will give
rise to millions: The process is by simple
growth and division. Cold destroys or pre-
vents their growth, and this is why refrigera-
ton prevents decay of meats and other ami
NAL foods. Exposed to warmth these small
organisms attack and eat up the albuminous
tissues leaving foul mass. The odors so
common to this process are given off by these
minute organisms and is about the only indi-
cation of their presence. This is the warning
of nature and it is an instinct to avoid all snch
smells. The foul breath, bad odors of old sores,
etc., leads man to avoid these germs in a
great measure. The danger of their pres
ence in the body can be imagined when their
rapid increase Is considered. few germs
may be readily absorbed into the system by
breathing air containing them. They are
thus drawn into the interior Of the body
passages of the throat, chest and nose, which
are lined with soft membrane and covered
with sticky mucus. In this fluid they tlnd
ready Judgment and favorable condi-
tons for development, increase and
growth. The "cold" or catarrh,
Oz@na or chronic oatarrh, hay fever,
etc., are common manifestations of the eff
fects of one of the least harmful of these
germs or nlicrozymes. In the discharges
from the respiratory passages at such times
thousands of the living animalcule are found
The fever, debility, pains Sin the bones,
loss of appetite, ETC., are indications of thei
depressing effects upon the vital organs.
1t is from germs of slower development
however, that the greatest danger follows
To the one most fully described by Koch il
due more deaths than to any other known
cause. According to the researches of Cur
TER, FLINT and DEJERINE, over eight million
people die every year from this cause alone
The annual deaths in France, England
Germany and Russia from their destruction