Medical Research Council A System of Bacteriology in relation to Medicine

Abstract

IN Chapter i.—“History of Bacteriology”—Prof. Bulloch leads us from the ancient theories of epidemic disease and the discoveries of Leeuwenhoeck, through the work on spontaneous generation and many of the fascinating, though imperfect and often erroneous, results of some of the early investigators up to the brilliant work of Cohn, Pasteur, and Koch. We are glad to read the high tribute given to the work of Cohn, who has been largely overshadowed by the man whom he discovered-Robert Koch. The work of Pasteur, Koch, and many other brilliant investigators is given very fully, and the author finishes off with the history of the immunity doctrines. Our only regret, in reading this chapter, is that much more space has not been given to Prof. Bulloch. We feel sure that this article will be read and re-read many times by all ardent bacteriologists, not merely because it contains such a mass of interesting particulars, but also because of the style in which it has been written. The illustrations are of supreme interest, and, might we add, we are glad to see in this volume many illustrations which are regretfully absent from the volumes which have been issued. Medical Research Council. A System of Bacteriology in relation to Medicine. Vol. 1. By F. W. Andrewes, J. A. Arkwright, J. E. Barnard, C. H. Browning, W. Bulloch, H. Chick, A. D. Gardner, A. Harden, H. McCombie, J. W. McLeod, E. K. Rideal, R. St. John-Brooks, A. Slator, H. G. Thornton. Pp. 374 + 18 plates. (London: H.M. Stationery Office, 1930.) 21s. net.