The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-12
BENEFIT OF BACTERIA.
.s4yITAS" TALKS ABOUT THE
LITTLE GERMS.
The Principles of neutrality-suspicious.
Measures of Quarantine Needed
school Children's Eyes.

Readers will observe that this is the
conclusion of the article on bacteria be-
gun in the last installment of Notes on
Hygiene.
From a strictly unitarian standpoint,
we may roughly classify bacteria as %.
useful: CD. harmless or neutral; and 90,
harmful. Judging from the sensational
articles appearing from time to time,
i'm newspapers, one would suppose that
every germ is a disease producer. and
that death TO all microbes is result
Ieyoutly to be desired; but, as a matter
of fact the vast majority of bacteria
sboth as 10 species and numbers), are
either harmless or positively beneficial,
the destruction of which would be in the
mature OF calamity Perhaps, the
greatest benefit which we derive from
these little germs is their role In the
oxidation OF organic matter. All deau
animal and vegetable matter Is acted
upon by them, and the complex chemical
substances OF organic life are reduced TO
simpler compounds, thus rendering innoc-
uous what might be dangerous. or, at
least. unpleasant. and at the same time,
furnishing those elements which enrich
the soil and make possible the harvest.
Micro chemistry (the chemical action
Of germs), Is prime factor in the cleans
tng of water. BY its action. drinking
water, which is contaminated by organic
matter, is rendered perfectly pure by the
conversion OF dangerous chemical COM
bounds into / armless ones; II causes the
Sipening of cheese; II produces the fine
navors OF butter, as well as some which
are not so fine: and II is probable that
Aaa ara ny OIL 6tpnG-
lion OF food. At any rate. there are SSl
described species of bacteria which are
useful, or at least, harmless. and only us
which are known 10 produce disease. and
comparatively few OF these affect the hui
man family. And moreover, since the
conditions for existence OF the disease
producing germs are not abundantiy sup
piled, they have. on the whole. rather
hard life-struggle, and II is not wonder
(ul that when the opportunity presents
They improve 1t to the utmost.
THE HARMFUL GERMS.
II Is the harmful germ with which we
nro most concerned. The useful germ
we accept. like air and sunlight, as a
matter OF course. The harmful germs
after evading every effort TO discover
them for centuries are rapidly being
isolated. studied. and the influences
which are inimical TO their continued
existence. established. IL was found that
certain diseases of which typhus is
type. deps nded for their propagation up
on the presence OF filth. Measures were
taken to remove the Nth, and typhus
disappeared. IL Is known that typhoid
fever. malaria. cholera and certain diar-
rhoeal affections are produced by the
presence OF germs In drinking water
and that IL such water be boiled, these
diseases will be prevented. IL is known
that the expectoraticn OF tuberculous pa
tIent, when allowed 10 dry. may infect
others. and that IL the sputum rs burned.
the major danger Is avoided. II is.
known that air-borne diseases are, as a
rule. carried but a short distance. and
that IL a patient suffering from them be
isolated and IL all discharges and arti-
cles Of clothing. etc. with which have
been In contact are disinfeeted. the danger
Of others contracting ths disease. Is COM
paratively slight II Is known that GER
tain diseases are prevented or modified
~ vaccination or incubation; that Is ae-