A PLEA FOR THE BACILLUS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7880, 3 June 1891, Page 3

A PLEA FOR THE BACILLUS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir,—As a humble unit of the vast army of tubercular bacilli, permit mc to express gratitude for your graoiousness in allowing your columns to coutainsuoto full details of what Professor Koch, has done and is doing in our direction. We venture to hope that you will, in tho splric of fair play, continue to afford these, for we have a dread lest this arch-fiend may on some occasion catch us napping ana wipe us out of existence. We are living organisms, and aa such claim equally with other organisms tha right of existence to the period of tha millennium, when, as a matter of course, no one organism will oppress another. For centuries we have led a quiet sort of life doing no more damage to tho organisms in our vicinity than was consistent with a bare and simple existence, and being easily satisfied, we have nos cared to take up our residence in any. locality to which we had noc previously" received a hearty invitation. Up to tha present therefore we have not exerted ourselves to produce that amount of disturbance of which we felt ourselves capable, iv those complex human organisms which were not, so to spoak, somewhat prepared for our reception. Professor Koch now desires to change all this, doubtless in the belief that he will leave his " footprints on the sands of time" if he can only succeed in overturning Professor Darwin's theory of "the survival of the fittest."

We hold, sir, that we have done no mora in our particular line than the publio executlouer has done in his, and that, at a matter of feet, we have conferred a benefit upon the human race goner ally by the simple removal of useless units. Imagine, then, our dismay, astonishment* aud indignation when, instead of receiving the thanks of the community, we find ourselves exposed to the persecution of m rabid wretcn like Professor Koch. ( We have been forced to consider tha position, aud in self-defence to light for '•our hearths aud our homes," and so far we have held our owu with ease. We are now anxiously awaiting his next move. He bas already made no less than three distinct aud desperate attempts upon us, each time changing bis theory of attack — a change which would possioly hot! havo been requisite had bis hand not been prematurely forced by tho jealousy of other and inferior generals wuo were anxious to share in the honor and glory of wiping out those "poor little iusigniflcanc and microscopic bacilli." Now, sir, I know you are always in full sympathy with the persecuted, aud I know also that I can rely upon your nob' telling Professor Koch and his minions the secret of their want of success, so X do not mind informing you that tboy have gone the wrong way to work when Instead of tackling us personally iv a manly and straightforward way, they have adopted the' dasturdly and roundabout plan of starviug us to death by poisoning our feeding grounds. Should they succeed in ousting us by.this nefarious arrangement can they noc see that they will simply force v* to change our residence! 1 can assure you that we are all highly Irritated by the pertinacity of Professor Koch In tbe matter, aud a.-, those iv authority over hliu seem inclined rather to encourage him in his ambitious projects, instead or restraining him withiu legitimate limits, we have resolved to endure thia cruel treatment no longer, aud now intend to carry the war into the enemy's own territory, so that whiio disputing evert inch of tiie way in defence of our old and well-beloved houi«s, we shall, in addition take up our quarters in those places hitherto and ceuerouily overlooked by the members of our army, even although this step may be attended with a little inconvenience and possible dangers to ourselves.

We regret that this matter could not have been amicably arranged by a Conference lv tbe* usual modem way wre.it had advanced to this stage, but organism* must live, and if we arc not to be permitted to do so In congenial soil, well, we must put up with tbe uncongenial; and depend upon it, sir, Professur Koch aud his imitator* will find they have their work cue out for them iv the task they have undertaken, us we can exist upon so little when the occasion demands It, and should \ Professor Koch afford the slightest opportunity, he will assuredly become a victim himself. Vcb vicliat Sole! him beware J The German bacteriologist has roused tho bacterial lion, and must abide the consequences. A few words about your local controversy. You will gather from the foregoing how correct member *of the Medical Association were iv attributing failure .to professor Koch's present process; and having no faith in It, they might well be excused from countenancing by their presence the investigations 'at the Hospital on the ground that tbe bystanders at au unlawful encounter may be held responsible for any untoward results. Ou the other hand, the Investigators themselves, having faith, may be credited with honest- intentions, and are therefore justified in exploring the intricacies of any human material which may be granted to them for tne purposes of experiment. . However, medical associations or otherwise, I can assure you we have no fear oi any thing colonials may ao in our direction ; indeed we fear no one but Professor Koch himselL We are satisfied thst he Is an able mau, perhaps no one more apia his province of bacteriology, and were there a Koch in each of the principal centres of population throughout the world doubtless our days would be numbered. . As it is, however, this hateful-foe must be unceasingly watched, and if.yoa will only keep us acquainted with, hia various moves we shall foil him yet, and you will earn the undying gratitude of A TUBSBCOXAK B_cn_ua.