Smyrna times., 1885-10-07
WHAT BECOMES OF THE DEAD.

If we follow the process of decay
%hlch takes place in the grave, it will
Dc found that living organisms take
part IN the decay of the buried BODY.
JUST as they do when beef or mutton is
consumed by man. In absolutely
pure air, flesh does not decay, and is in
1act preserved for an indefinite time
But air is very seldom absolutely pure
ior In it are an infinite number of float.
ing mlcro-organisms, either as spores or
fully developed. On the tops of moun-
talns these organisms which are named
DaclIh, bacteria, or micrococci, are
sparsely found. In the air of the
country they are common, in that of
towns they abound, over sewers or above
churchyards they positively swarm.
What are they ? Are they plants or
ANIMALS? This is question that science
has not yet decided. Chemists are
inclined to consider them animals Of a
very low type, because animals are
chiefly engaged in performing analytical
functions, that is, pulling organic matter
to pieces, while plants perform syntheti-
cal functions, that is, building up COM
pick organic matter out of simple
materials, for example, molding organ
lsms out of carbonic acid, water and
ammonia. Now, the great function of
these mcro-organisms which play such
an important part in the economy of
the world is to convert potential energy
into actual energy, or, to put it more
simply, to convert passive affinities into
active affinities. In organized matter
there IS for a time the repose of the
chemical attractions of those four ele-
ments-carbOn, hydrogen, nitrogen and
oxygen, which constitute the great bul,
OF the body The micro-organisms are
engaged IN the resolution of the dead
body into those active forms of chemical
energy carbonic acid, water and am
monia. When these innumerable little
beings have free play they are the great
est benefactors to the human race. for
they are the most powerful of all scaven-
gers and they purify air. water, and
soil so as to render them fit for living.
But II You oppose their free action bv
restricting their access by shutting out
the free circulation of air necessary to
their life functions they become in
tensely malignant in their character.
the true vampires of the dead, for they
fly about planting themselves i'll the
blood Of the living and producing our
well known epidemic diseases -zymotic
or filth diseases. In the fluids of
patients suffering from such diseases
these micro-organisms swarm. Man
KIND has only recently recognized how
much we owe to the micro-organisms.
Wine and beer are produced by their
agency; by them vinegar is formed; by
them we get those vast beds of saltpetre
or nitre which is one of the forms into
which they convert decaying matter.
Our ancestors used to live with rushes
on he floors. When the rushes became
filthy new ones were put on the top,
and frequently accumulated to consider
able thickness. Then the dreaded
"petremen of the king came and in
Sisted on digging up the clay floor
which had become saturated with salt
petre formed by these busy micrococci,
IN order to save the inhabitants from
pestilence produced by their filthy hab-
its. These little organisms, whether
they be plants or animals, are infinite
bencfaco ors to the human race or terri
bic scourges, according as man is obedi-
ent or disobedient to the wise laws of
the Creator