to
inform me, as others had informed Pasteur, that the subject 'pertains
to the biologist and physician: He expressed 'amazement' at my
reasoning, and warned me that before what I had done could be undone
'much irreparable mischief might be occasioned.' With far less
preliminary experience to guide and warn him, the English heterogenist
was far bolder than Pouchet in his experiments, and far more
adventurous in his conclusions. With organic infusions he obtained
the results of his celebrated predecessor, but he did much more--the
atoms and molecules of inorganic liquids passing under his
manipulation into those more 'complex chemical compounds,' which we
dignify by calling them 'living organisms.' [Footnote: 'It is further
held that bacteria or allied organisms are prone to be engendered as
correlative products, coming into existence in the several
fermentations, just as independently as other less complex chemical
compounds.'--Bastian, Trans. of Pathological Society, vol. xxvi.
258.]

As regards the public who take an interest in such things, and
apparently also as regards a large portion of the medical profession,
our clever countryman succeeded in restoring the subject to a state of
uncertainty similar to that which followed the publication of
Pouchet's volume in 1859.

It is desirable that this uncertainty should be removed from all
minds, and doubly desirable on practical grounds that it should be
removed from the minds of medical men. In the present article,
therefore, I propose discussing this question face to face with some
eminent and fair-minded member of the medical profession who, as
regards spontaneous generation, entertains views adverse to mine. Such
a one it would be easy to name; but it is perhaps better to rest in
the impersonal. I shall therefore simply call my proposed co-enquirer
my friend. With him at my side, I shall endeavour, to the best of my
ability, so to conduct this discussion that he who runs may read and
that he who reads may understand.

Let us begin at the beginning. I ask my friend to step into the
laboratory of the Royal Institution, where I place before him a basin
of thin turnip slices barely covered with distilled water kept a
temperature of 120 deg. Fahr. After digesting the turnip for four or five
hours we pour off the liquid, boil it, filter it, and obtain an
infusion as clear as filtered drinking water. We cool the infusion,
test its specific gravity, and find it t