A CHAT ON SCIENCF.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1924, Page 1

A CHAT ON SCIENCF.

CONTAGIOUS HEALTH. (Dr Shissnn, AYtisliinoton). AYlien “Hob" Ingersnll was lecturing (111 “The Mistakes of Moses” he was asked sarcastically ii' he thought he could do any lad ter if he were running the universe. He replied: “Yes,” and when chnleiiged to specify in what particular he could improve on the present administration, he answered that if he were the Almighty he would make health contagious instead oT disease. This, like other of his witty retorts, will not stand close scrutiny. In fact, recent researches indicate that tlie proposed improvement is already ill existence, and lias been lor ages. As we now know the microbes are not all enemies of man. Some are bis active allies, and they carry mi warfare in bis defence in much the same way as the disease-producing kinds do against him.

A French biologist, il’ I lerolle. discovered in 11117. that bacteria are preyed upon by something yet smaller than themselves; something too small to be seen with any miseroscope or to be filtered out from a fluid, tor they will pass even through the pores ol potcehiill. ‘' I tacteriophages" he calls I belli—

“hacleriti-eaters.” They are so minute that- il would seem that they must belong to the held of chemistry rather than hiologv, yet they grow and propagate and maintain a definite individuality, like living creatures. They lire normally present in our digestive tube, and protect ns by breaking down the dissolving inimical bacteria. 'I he greater the number of the invading hosts the faster the bacteriophages multiply. and the fiercer they become in light, until linally they have overcome the infection. They may then in the llusli of their victory carry their campaign into the enemy's ,minify, and core others of the community. The sick persons who have been cured thus become carriers ol the core and centies of healing infection, so starting an epidemic ol health. As d llerelle says ill his new book. “Dcleine of the (>r-

“A sick animal propagates the disease. An animal in a stato ol active resistance propagates immunity. Those few words sum up the wind" hi'tory ol epidemics." Dr d" 11 ore lie may lie over-sanguine ill thinking, that lie has seized the whole m o. i l of , p'de!"e - . bill Ids i|i > overies i, 11 , in tin, with | lie 1 11" >■ I■■ ■ > lie 1 hod ,el In al pi a- Io e whu ll c to call'd, the uni ol Imi term in our delem e ag.uiusl bacteria, and to pioioote civil war ill lie* Kingdom ol tile I’rotozoa. Me lone alreadv ii midst an army of defenders in the form of white corpuscles ~|' the blood, and llie-o max' be multiplied and encouraged to greater exertions by medical means. \Ye may counteract a toxin with all anti-toxin. Me mav. as Metehinkoll advised, colonise tlie' colon with the benign bacteria that prod in " I otic acid, in place of those I bat pro,lore poisons. \Ye may infest parasite, with minor parasites. Me may set the alt rainier,ih.' to catch the ihutulm*.

In this why \vp in:»y hope to stsivp o(t the dav when we shall fall victim to the innumerable hosts of invisible foes that ,• nit inualiy hi". I os. though so I'm- they have Io lie end eoine out ennqui'l'iirs ill every ease. “A bacillus less than one live-t hoiisaudtli <d an inch in length, multiplies, under normal enn--11 it ioits. m. the rate that would cause iilfspring of a single individual In till the ocean to the depth of a mile in live days." The cholera bacillus doubles ill numbers every 2 1 ) minutes. How can a clumsv creature like man. who requires 211 years to grow up. ever hope to compete with sueh a rapid multiplier;- Vet somehow he does nmnnge to overcome the cholera, and keep it, under eontrol. He even begins to believe that he may in the course ol time completely exterminate those disease germs which most live oil and ill mail 'for once every patient were cur,.,l or seel in led these would vanish Irom the earth, never to reappear. So man, l,v t i K . ;ii,| lII' .science, may in time v:ni(|llisl, the earth-horn mvridons of his arch enemy. Becl/.olmb. (.ml ol llies and vermin. ______