But scarcely any better nidus could be formed, for the dissemination of the matter, of the ulcers, through the atmosphere, than the sores themselves, the very place where it is eliminated; and cases have been referred to, where persons have respired an atmosphere thus liable to be acted on, with the most complete impunity.
It is not ascertained that the contagious poison is eliminated at the sores in the throat, but such seems probable, seeing that the sores are as essential and constant as the eruption itself.
Experiments might have been multiplied, but that has appeared unnecessary, as it is hoped that enough has been done to shew that the contagious poisons which have undergone our examination, are incapable of assuming the aeriform state, and, as it must seem probable, that in a point so important, they will all coincide, even those which have not been treated of here.
Their chemical constitution, as before remarked, prevents their assuming that state. Dr Henry of Manchester remarks, when pointing out the distinctive characters of animal and vegetable bodies, that “Animal substances are the results of still more delicate processes, and of a more refined organization, and the balance of affinities by which they exist is disturbed by still slighter causes;” and again says, “Instead of passing through the vinous and the acetous fermentation, they are peculiarly prone to undergo putrefaction.”
Thus, then, this great law, ascertained and settled beyond a doubt, and the results of our observations on the causes of diseases styled contagious, and of experiments on the palpable contagious poisons themselves, are opposed to the admission of this doctrine, and when we recall to memory the slender evidence, nay, the absence of any evidence at all, the conclusion almost necessarily is, that atmospheric contagion does not, and cannot exist.
With what justice may we now join with De Lolme, when he says—“There is a very essential consideration to be made in every science, though speculators are very apt to lose sight of it, which is, that in order that things may have existence, that they must be possible.”
CHAPTER VII.
CONTAGIOUS POISONS, COMPARED WITH YEAST—DOES THAT AGENT ASSUME THE AERIFORM STATE?
Lest the evidence we have laid before the reader should not be so satisfactory and conclusive as it has been deemed by us, the details and results of some investigation into yeast will now be given.
It occurred to us, that it would be useful, in our inquiry respecting contagious poisons, to ascertain whether or not yeast was capable of producing its wonted effects through the medium of the air, if, in short, it was capable of taking on the vaporic state. We were led to this inquiry from the consideration, that it and contagious poisons presented points of resemblance of the most important nature, and that the history of the one might elucidate that of the others.
Yeast is the only other inanimate substance, besides the contagious poisons, with which we are acquainted, which has the property of producing a substance in every respect like itself, in short, of reproduction.