The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-21
BACTERIA ON COINS.
Hard Cash Infested with Disease Germs
Interesting to Numismatists and Others.

San Francisco Chronicle.
st is now about six months" began the chem
list, that have been engaged in these invest-
cations 1t required but hint from that we'll
known German scientist, DR.. Renisch, on a SINH
lar subject, to set me at work on a series of
experimental studies, during which various com
mon substances of general circulation were
placed under my lenses, but without establishing
what my hypothesis called for, and with which
they could alone be demonstrated. One day.
while looking over a work on mineralogy and
fungoid growths on metallic substances, it oc-
CURED to me that here was something that
might use to advantage, and various metals were
carefully scrutiniZed, with a view of obtaining
some further insight into their susceptibility to
attack by disease germs. At last experimental
with coins Over some silver dimes that had
seen a quarter of a century of use l found a
slight and Jagged incrustation, which appeared
to be provided with cells of various Depths and
in which l thought 1 discovered traces of
parasitcal life Growing at once deeply
interested in this branch of my investi-
cations, l decided to further it in every
possible way, and to this end, finding my in
struments not of sufficient power sent to Lon
don for one of greater magnifying force. have
1T here" said the of science, pulling white
cover from a large and beautifully reconstructed
compound microscope standing on a able in the
laboratory, around which were strewn various
other evidences of his studies.
Nov, we Will take a look at this coin" said
the chemist, holding up an old ten-cent piece to
the reporters gaze and then placing it under the
tube of the instrument, arranging the mirrors
and adjusting the lenses until the proper focus
was secured. place your eye here. Be care
full not to throw any shade on the coin. What
do you seel'
"A confused yelowish mass of various lights
and shades, but no parasites"
Correct Now, by employing reagent
which have prepared, your sight will be in
creased. Besides, shall adjust the instrument
to its highest magnifying power-3,00O diane
ters-and the bacteria will present itself"
He took from bottle translucent fluid, IN
which, as he said, pyroligneous acid formed one
of the chief component parts
This" said he, Twill aid in developing any
peculiarities of structure which may exist in the
germinal particles. Follow my previous in
struction and look closely"
The instrument being in readiness, the report
er again applied his eye and this time with
greater results That portion of the surface of
the coin upon which the eye rested seemed to be
spread out to cover space as large as an ordi-
nary tea-saucer. The bacteria were made visi-
bic. Minute specks which had before found no
definite shape took upon themselves various
living forms, each having pale pinkish hue
and resembling ordinary animalcule though not
so active in their movements perfect view
was obtained of these parasites and other or
ganic matter surrounding them, the microscopic
definition being as good at the edges of the spot
examined as at the center The bacteria were
| of different shapes and s-ribbon-like, with
badly developed members; lobelike, with mouths
| that occupied the whole front of what would be
taken for the head of the animal; square shaped
with scarcely a perceptible movement; round
| bodied, sharp pointed and spiral-all the forms
that micro organic life is wont to assume the
| term phycochromacea being applied by scientists
| to the general family.
Resolving not to be astonished at what he had
| witnessed, and lightly remarking that perhaps
| the coin inspected had been sailed in some
manner unknown to the inexperienced, the re-
porter slipped from his pocket half dollar of
the issue of 1880, and placed it under the tube
81 doubt you will succeed in finding any deep
incrustations on that coin, said the chemist. at
is of too recent date to develop any preceptible
| fungoid growth"
But there is a minute particle here and
there that resembles chrysals," remarked the
reporter after again applying his eye to the mi
croscope.
perhaps so; let me look Yes; there are some
undeveloped specimens of bacteria the coin.
But fol- large germs you must examine a coin
that has been longer in circulation"
But some coins become smooth from rough
usage. They could not retain the germs, could
they2
Certainly. Organic life such as that is not
removed by mere rubbing, especially of such a
slow nature. And if this were not so the bac-
terra could find plenty of space in the crevices
between the letters and figures on the coin"
half dollar bearing the date of 1856 was then
placed under the instrument and bacteria and
vegetable fungus were discovered in greater
abundance, though it is not possible to discern
the least trace of them with the naked eye, or
even under lenses of small power
"Of course" said the microscopic, ''these
germs do not exist on all coins and a coin must
be subjected to infection in some way before it
will disclose bacteria l have examined some of
the oldfashioned copper cents and found them
alive with parasites and also gold pieces of old
dates"
"And do you consider the discovery an import
ant one from hygienic point of viewl"
why that is selfevident. 1t has, in my opin-
ion, been conclusively established that bacteria
form the chief agency in the propagation of cpl
demic diseases, and if they have chosen the
greatest circulating medium in the world as their
abiding place, we have, then, a new factor in the
spread of infectious diseases. All those who are
| inclined to the biopasmic theory which accounts
for contagious specific diseases, and, in fact all
who have dipped into the physco-chemical study
of this great subject, will readily admit that the
result of their Investigations will bear out any
assertions, however positive, that may be made
by an advocate of the truths derived from such
discoveries as this. But see you are inclined
to doubt and treat the matter lightly. Let me
see if cannot convince you Here is a coin that
| secured yesterday in making change with q
Chinese storekeeper From its appearance l
should say that it had been pretty thoroughly
circulated in Chinatown, and has probably seen
blacker and more filthy holes than the average
white visitor there would to penetrate.
will scrape the surface with sharp scalpel into
this tiny receptacle, which contains distilled
water. Now place the water containing the
bacteria under the microscope, and you shall see
what you shall see."
The reporter took one look and it is not neces-
sary to describe the sight he witnessed. 1t is
sufficient to say that if the germ theory has not
taken firm hold on his mind to the displace
ment of previous convictions, it is not the fault
of that one glance into its deepest mysteries
Now | will take that same coin. drop it into
this solution of caustic potash place it over the
spirit lamp and let it remain until it begins to
boil-so. Now l will take it out, wipe off the
solution, rinse the coin under the water-spout
then wipe it dry, and there you are-bacteria all
gone"
would you recommend that all coins be sub
jected to this disinfecting process2"
'All old coins 1t is scarcely worth the trouble
to wash those of recent date, though some
people may take this precaution in certain cases.
l might add that the practice of placing coins in
the mouth, as child or street-car conductor
often does, is not safe way of disposing of
them esneciallV if thew are of an aarliep date