V. Further researches on the deportment and vital persistence of putrefactive and infective organisms from a physical point of view

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Abstract
On the 13th of January, 1876, I had the honour of submitting to the Royal Society some account of an investigation in which the power of atmospheric air to produce life in organic infusions and its power to scatter light were shown to go hand in hand. The “scattering” was proved to be due, not to the air itself, but to foreign matter suspended in the air. It was moreover proved that air placed under proper conditions went through a process of self-purification, and that, when this purification was visibly complete, the power to scatter light and to generate life disappeared together. The form of the experiments here referred to was, it will be remembered, as follows:—Wooden chambers were constructed with glass fronts, side windows, and back doors. Through the bottoms of the chambers test-tubes passed air-tight, their open ends, for about one fifth of the length of the tubes, being within the chambers. Provision was made for a connexion through sinuous channels between the outer and the inner air. The chambers being closely sealed, were permitted to remain undisturbed for a few days. The floating matter of the internal air gradually subsided, until at length an intensely luminous beam failed to show its track within the chamber. Then, and not till then, were the infusions introduced, by means of a pipette passing through the top of the chamber. After their introduction, they were boiled in an oil- or brine-bath for five minutes, and afterwards placed per­manently in a warm room.

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