Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-24
LIFE WITHOUT BAclLLI.
A Scientific Demonstration That Even
the Benign" Varieties Are Super
fluous

1T is matter of general knowledge
that among the multitude of microbes
by which we are encompassed, many
species are harmless to us, and many
useful enough iii respect to their act
ing as Natures scavengers. and assist
ing even in the Developments of COM
merce and industry. The pathogenic,
or disease producing species, though
numerous, stand in a minority When
compared with those microbes which
are OF innocent nature. But beyond the
recognition of such facts. few persons,
save those professionally interested,
are aware.that within our bodies there
exists normal population of microbes,
certain members of which appear to
exercise certain functions in the course
of digestive action. 1t is true that in
the digestive tube, which includes
mouth, gullet, stomach and intestine.
we are able to classify regular bac-
terial flora" often characteristic of a
special portion of the alimentary ca
nal At birth it is certain the infants
digestive system is free from microbic
tenants. One bacillus. the 3. bifidus, is
found even in breast-fed children. 1t
is a harmless microbe entirely but in
eies of germ visitants are markedly
increased. This is in accordance with
expectation, for milk itself forms noS
toriously prolific breeding-g ground for
microbes of many kinds Science is
somewhat seeptical regarding the util-
ity of our digestive flora. 1t is admit
ted that in grass eating animals GER
tain bacilli serve to digest oellulcse,
;.,t4 II, ta har ~ nf
cells. The necessity of germ popuia-
ton in the digestive system has been
questioned by reason of experimental
ton, which shows that if guinea-pigs
born in an aseptic chamber were made
to breathe filtered air, and were fed on
sterilized milk. no germs could be de-
tected in their digestive system. We
may, perhaps reasonably suppose that
all microbes are intruders on the ami
NAL domain, but that, having gained
access thereto. they behave themselves
variously according to their lights.
Bacterioiogists tell us that what
happens to the tough cellulose in the
COW or sheep, in respect of its solution
by mierobie aid, also occurs in man to
certain extent. But in the intestine
itself we harbor a microbe flora such as
is responsible, when 1t grows Wild. 1or
much digestive discomfort. Readers
will remember the opinions of Meteh-
nikoff, who, maintaining that the over
growth of the bacillus coll. microbe
found in everybody's digestive tract,
caused premature old age, advised q
modification of diet, and the drinking
of sour milk by way of DISCRIMINATING
the intestinal population. He advocated
the use of Bulgarian bacillus, which
is a potent and lusty microbe. capable
of living in an acid solution OF even
ten per cent strength. So vigorous is
this Bulgarian bacillus that 1t routs
out all lesser microbic fry; and so IL
was believed to clear the intestine Oh
the overplus of the coli bacillus. But
the latter is ever with us; 1t does US no
harm, approximation that matter 1t
may discharge some useful duty or
otner-and the sour-milk treatment,
ike many another much-belauded pam
acea, has practically disappeared from
the list of modern cures
A far more pertinent question, now
ever, looms in view here. when we IN
uuire whether Dor not microbes wc
deem harmless under ordinary circum-
stances may not, when their ENVIRON
ment is altered. evolve disease-produc-
ing qualities. For example, while MOTH
ing definite has been proved. II mas
been suggested that the harmless -
coli--innocuous in the digestive system
may. when transferred to some out
side medium. say sewage, evolve the
form and qualities of the typhoid bac-
illus. 1t has been held possible that
another virulent microhe, found IN
cases of food poisoning, may only DC
another phase of the coli-transforma-
ton. All three live in the Intestine.
and all three may only be varieties OF
one species. Such feature would De
perfectly consistent with what is ma
BILE to happen in higher plant iife.-
London News.