Practical Bacteriology

Abstract

THIS excellent work is based upon notes made in different Continental laboratories, and is intended to be a laboratory hand-book as well as a text-book of bacteriology, including as it does “a systematic sketch of the genera and species of micro-organisms, as well as the methods employed in the investigation of their life-histories.” The science is intimately connected with the etiology of the infectious and contagious diseases, and by enlarging knowledge as to the origin, causes, and spread of these diseases, has greatly aided, and may be expected in the future greatly more to aid, in the acquisition of knowledge as to the measures necessary to be adopted for their prevention; nevertheless it has received attention in this country from but a few earnest inquirers, the great mass of information now at our disposal having been accumulated in Germany. This fact is apparent at once on glancing through the pages of this book; for every English work, six German at least are referred to as having been consulted by the author. Apart also from its association with medical pathology, the subject is of the greatest interest to the naturalist, be he botanist or zoologist. It is only necessary to refer to the work of Pasteur in this connection for a proof of the vast amount of benefit to commerce and science which may still be anticipated to arise from a fuller knowledge of the life-histories of those organisms which are associated with so many diseases of plants, animals, and men. The importance of a study, not merely of the pathogenic or disease-producing, but of all the different species of Bacteria and Fungi is fully grasped by the author in the following paragraph: “It is impossible, by localising one's knowledge to pathogenic species to thoroughly understand the life-history of these particular forms, or to be able to grasp and appreciate the various arguments and questions that arise in comparing their life-history with the progress of disease.”

An Introduction to Practical Bacteriology, based upon the Methods of Koch.

By Edgar M. Crookshank., Demonstrator of Physiology, King's College, London. (London: H. K. Lewis, 1886.)