Les Organismes vivants de l'Atmosphère

Abstract

PLUS occidit aer quam gladius, such is the main idea contained and explained in M. Miquel's very able and interesting book. If the modern theories are true, it must be certainly conceded that although the sword and gun are very murderous tools, air is yet more so. But on the other hand one may say of our atmosphere's murderous propensities what a French writer said when he was told that coffee was a poison: “Well, it may be a poison to be sure, but it must be a very slow one; I have been indulging in it for over fifty years.” In fact, if Voltaire and many other men took too much of it, it began to tell on them only very late. Taking it for granted that coffee is murderous, it must be also granted that it is not always so. Such is also the case of the atmosphere we live in.

Les Organismes vivants de l'Atmosphère.

Par M. P. Miquel, Docteur ès Sciences et Docteur en Médecine, Chef du Service micrographique à l'Observatoire de Montsouris. (Paris: Gauthier-Villars, 1883.)