A text-book of general bacteriology / by Edwin O. Jordan.

  • Edwin O. Jordan
Date:
1931
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A text-book of general bacteriology / by Edwin O. Jordan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/830 page 22
    riology. A common meeting-ground of great importance is found in the researches upon immunity, where it is shown that the resist¬ ance of the animal organism to infection depends both upon the nature of the tissues with which the germ comes in contact, and upon the hygienic surroundings of the organism with reference to food, temperature, moisture, and the like, as well as upon the inherited qualities of the various groups of body-cells. The inter¬ weaving of pathologic and sanitary bacteriology, of preventive and curative medicine, is illustrated with especial clearness in the chapter on diphtheria (Ch. 14). Although, from a practical point of view, the part played by bacteria in the causation of disease in man must be admitted to be of surpassing importance, it must not be forgotten that bacteria exert a marked influence upon the welfare of mankind in many other directions. Bacteria not only disintegrate and destroy dead bodies, and attack and kill living organisms, but some forms are also construc¬ tive to a high degree, and translate important chemical elements, like nitrogen and carbon, from unavailable combinations into sub¬ stances that can be utilized by higher forms of plant life. It has been discovered, for example, that certain kinds of bacteria profoundly modify the composition of the soil and the character of crops, and are hence of importance to the agriculturist; that other kinds of bacteria impart the characteristic flavors or aromas to but¬ ter, cheese, and other dairy products; and that still others determine the success or failure of various industrial processes, such as the retting of flax, the tanning of hides, and, perhaps, the curing of tobacco. It is believed by many that the applications of bac¬ teriology to various industries and manufactures and to agriculture are likely to become much more numerous in the near future. Underlying all the applications of bacteriology are certain fun¬ damental facts and principles concerning the structure, mode of development, and general physiologic requirements and capabil¬ ities of bacteria themselves. This subject-matter constitutes the ground-work of bacteriology, and is essential not only to a proper comprehension of the present practical applications of bacteriology, but also to the further development of the science. Biologic Significance.—The fact should not be overlooked that bacteriology owes its present important place among the biologic
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3