The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-09-18
What Becomes Of the Dead 4?
Sir Lyon Ilayfair In Good Words.

Sir Lyon IIayfair in Good Words.
If we follow the process of decay
which takes place in the grave, it will
be 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
fact preserved for an indefinite tine.
But air is seldom absolutely pure, for
in it is an infiuite number of floating
micro-organsms, either as spores or
fully developed. On the tops of
mountains these organ; SINS, which are
named bacilli. bacteria, or micro-cocci,
are sparselY found. In the air of the
country they are common, in that of
towns they abound, over sewers or
above church yards they positively
swarm. What are they? Are they
plants or animals? This is a question
that sc ence has not yet decided.
Chem SITS are inclined to consider them
animals of a very low type, because
animals are chiefly engaged in per-
forming analytical functions, that is,
building up complex organic matter
out of simple materials, for example,
molding organisms out of carbonic
acid. water and ammonia. Now, the
great function of these micro organ
isms 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 affinit!es into active
affinities. In organized matter there
is for time the repose of the chemi-
cal attractions of those four elements
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and
oxygen, VIII ch constitute the great
bulk of the body. The micro-organ-
isms are engaged in the resolution of
the dead body into those active forms
of chemical energy-ca carbonic acid,
water and ammonia. When these in
Vulnerable Little beings have free play
they are the greatest benefactors to the
human race, for they are the most
powerful of all scavengers, and they
purify air. water and SO so as to rem
der them fit for the living. But if you
oppose their free action by restricting
Their access by shutting out the free
circulation of air necessary to their
life functions they become intensely
malignant in their character, the true
vampires If the dead. for they fly
about planting themselves in the blood
Ol Gue living anu pIoouCiHS Jul we'll
known epidemic diseases -zymotic or
s'filth" diseases. In the fluids of pa
tients suffering from such diseases
these micro organ; SINS 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 salt
petre OF inter, which is one of the
forms into which they convert decay
ing matter. Our ancestors used to live
with rushes on the floors. When the
rushes became filthy new ones were
put on the top, and frequently accu-
mulated to considerable thickness.
Then the dreaded ''petremen" of the
King came and insisted on digging up
the clay floor which had become sat
urated with saltpeter formed by these
busy micro-cocci, in order to save the
inhabitants from pestilence produced
by their filthy habits. These little or
ganisms, whether they be plants or
animals, are infinite benefactors to the
human race or terrible scorges, accord
ing as man is obedient to the wise laws
of the Creator.