System der Bakterien Handbuch der Morphologie, Entwickelungsgeschichte und Systematik der Bakterien

Abstract

APPLIED or technical bacteriology in recent years has developed so rapidly, that in the rush after new discoveries the study of systematic bacteriology has been almost entirely neglected. With the introduction of Koch's methods the separation of bacteria was made an easy matter, and when it became evident that a large number of pathological lesions are caused by microorganisms, bacteriology was introduced into the medical laboratories, and undoubtedly the pathological bacteriologist has greatly advanced our knowledge of the action of bacteria in health and in disease. Until Pasteur appeared, those lowly organisms had been unobtrusively studied in botanical laboratories, but the discoveries of this immortal genius revealed to all how great a share the bacteria have in the preservation of health and the causation of disease, in the sorrows and pleasures of life. Discovery after discovery in the causation of disease has led to triumph after triumph in prevention and cure; the study of fermentation has led to the perfection of important industries, and even now an appeal is made to the bacteria to keep our surroundings in a good sanitary condition. Bacteriology was so keenly studied by medical men that at one time there was almost a danger lest all micro-organisms were regarded as our foes, and yet their friendly acts greatly outweigh the harm that they do to us. Now, however, this is fully recognised, and just as at one time disease-producing bacteria were searched for, so at present the tendency is to seek after useful micro-organisms and to sing their praises. In this country, as usual, we are slow to encourage the study of applied bacteriology; in our midst it is yet fighting its way into medicine, and there is still an appalling ignorance of bacteriology even amongst the youngest physicians and surgeons; the British brewers are just beginning to see what Denmark and Germany saw years ago, and in agriculture we pin our faith on lectures and feeble examinations instead of opening research laboratories for the study of bacteriology as applied to the dairy and the soil. However, the records of other countries show us what practical bacteriology has achieved in a short time.

System der Bakterien. Handbuch der Morphologie, Entwickelungsgeschichte und Systematik der Bakterien.

Allgemeiner Theil. By W. Migula. Vol. i. Pp. 368; 6 plates. (Jena: Gustav Fischer, 1897.)