Researches on micro-organisms : including an account of recent experiments on the destruction of microbes in certain infectious diseases, phthisis, etc / by A.B. Griffiths.

  • Arthur Bower Griffiths
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Researches on micro-organisms : including an account of recent experiments on the destruction of microbes in certain infectious diseases, phthisis, etc / by A.B. Griffiths. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the former are the cause (directly or indirectly) of certain diseases, while the latter cause various changes in organic matter, etc. To the physician the pathogenic microbes are of special interest, and will be fully discussed in the following pages; but it is ' impossible by localizing one's know- ledge 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 ques- tions that arise in comparing their life-history with progress of disease.' There is little doubt that the study of microbes in general is of the utmost importance; so much so that this study is destined to give a full scientific ex]3lanation of all the various changes which occur in contagious diseases. But it is only by bacteriological and micro- chemical methods that the pathologist is, or will be, able to investigate such far-reaching problems as the causation of diseases, and thereby the methods of treating them. Speaking of the importance of a proper study of bacteriology, Sir WilUam Aitken, F.E.S., says: 'Could we but climb some pathological Pisgah, and be allowed to stand as Moses stood, when he was permitted to view the promised land, we might rejoice in the bright and certain prospect that there lies before us a great and glorious future for pathology, and for the science and practice of our art.'