Abstract
THE Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science for October, 1871. “The origin and distribution of Microzymes (Bacteria) in water, and the circumstances which determine their existence in the tissues and liquids of the living body,” by Dr. Burdon Sanderson, F.R.S. This paper is occupied chiefly by details of experiments to determine the conditions which are fatal or favourable to the existence of microzymes in the liquid or gaseous fluids by which we are surrounded, in order to approach one degree nearer to an understanding of their influence on the processes which go on in the living hody. After a definition of “microzymes” the author proceeds to their chemical composition and their relation to the media in which they grow. This portion is brief and incomplete. The remainder of the paper is occupied with the experiments, which are grouped under these three sections. (1) Experimental determination of the conditions which govern the development of microzymes in certain organic liquids to be used as tests. Having found in a number of cases that either contact with surfaces which had not been snperheated, or the admixture of water which had not been boiled, was the exclusive cause of the growth of microzymes in the experimental liquid, it was inferred that water is the primary source from whence the germinal particles of bacteria are derived whenever they seem to originate spontaneously in organic solutions. A number of experiments were made with different varieties of water in ordinary use, in order to confirm the observations already made, and to ascertain if all waters possess the properties in question in a like degree. These experiments are detailed under the second section (2) Distribution of the Germal Matter of Microzymes in ordinary Water. The results under this head were not deemed satisfactory. (3) Circumstances which determine the existence of microzymes in organic liquids and tissues, that is, whether the tissues and liquids of the living body participate in the zymotic property which exists in water and moist substances. The conclusion drawn from the facts is, that “it has appeared certain that there is no developmental connection between microzymes and torula cells, and that their apparent association is one of mere juxtaposition. Thus fungi are not developed, notwithstanding the presence of microzymes in the same liquid in which, microzymes being absent, but air having access, they appear with the greatest readiness.” Finally, the writer is certain that, although air is the main source of what he calls fungus impregnation, as distinguished from impregnation with microzymes, yet the two acts may take place at the same moment, germs of torula being often contained in the same liquid media as the germ particles of microzymes. — “On the Colouring Matter of some Aphides,” by H. C. Sorby, F.R.S.—“Observations and Experiments on the Red Blood Corpuscles, chiefly with regard to the Action of Gases and Vapours,” by E. Ray Lankester.—“On Undulina, the type of a new group of Infusoria,” by E. Ray Lankester.—“On the Circulation in the wings of Blatta Orientalis and other Insects, and on a new method of injecting the vessels of insects,” by H. N. Moseley. After describing the method adopted for preparing and fixing the wings of insects for examination of the circulation, the writer proceeds to his experiences with the cockroach. The corpuscles in Blatta are so large that the circulation may readily be seen with a high power of a simple dissecting microscope. If an insect be carefully tied, the circulation maybe observed in action for as long as twelve hours. Abundance of parasites were found in the blood vessels of Blatta and coleopterous insects. The method recommended for the injection of the circulatory system of insects is through the largest artery on the front border of the wing, and the injecting fluid is indigo carmine. —“On the production of Spores in the Radiolaria,” by Prof. L. Cienkowski; translated from vol. vii., part 4, of the “Archiv. für Mikroskop. Anatomie.” The observations on which this paper is based were mainly made upon Collosphæra and Collozoum. The capsule is the source of the zoospores. In the mature capsule the contents break up into a quantity of little spheroids.—“On the Peripheral Distribution of non-medullated Nerve-fibres,” by E. Klein. The writer purposes treating of the nerves of the cornea, those of the nictitating membrane of the frog, of the canal in the tail of the rabbit, and of the mesentery. The present communication is confined to the nerves of the cornea, the remaining subjects are to be embodied in a second paper.
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Scientific Serials . Nature 5, 114 (1871). https://doi.org/10.1038/005114a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/005114a0