Health-culture / by Gustav Jaeger ; translated and edited by Lewis R.S. Tomalin.

  • Gustav Jäger
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Health-culture / by Gustav Jaeger ; translated and edited by Lewis R.S. Tomalin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    58/328 page 46
    (I may remark, in passing, that similar information as to the exodus of birds has been published in connection with nearly every epidemic of cholera.) Solomon says, “ Go to the ant, thou sluggard ; consider her ways and be wise.” Students of medical science are too prone to learn from books, in lecture rooms and laboratories, and to neglect the great teacher Nature herself. They are acquainted with the natural sciences, but not with nature, whom they do not sufficiently observe. Microbes, Bacilli, Bacteria, are parasitical organisms ; and whoever is not acquainted with the laws which govern the whole world of parasites, without exception—whether the parasite be animal or vegetable, and whether it attach itself to an animal or to a plant—is groping as in a fog, theoretically and practically, when a matter like the cholera is in question. Medical men are certainly prescribed the study of botany and zoology, but these studies include everything but that which they will require in order to be armed for the struggle with parasites big and little. The laws respecting parasites can only be learned from observing nature herself, and by instituting comparisons which show the common action of all parasites. In my larger technical works I have dealt with the essential points of this subject, which are especially important in connection with epidemic disease; and, to enable my readers to form an opinion for themselves, I will here again briefly elucidate the question. The first principal law of parasitical life is that of specific relation—f'.c., the fact that no parasite settles without choice on any organism whatever. Either it is ’only found on one ]\articular animal or species of plant (frequently on one particular organ of such animal or plant), which may be termed its specific host, or, even in extreme cases, only on a relatively small number (having regard to the immense number of kinds of animals and plants); and a parasite
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3