Doncaster Microscopical Society
The sixth ordinary meeting of the above society was held on Wednesday evening last, Mr. J. B. Witherington (vice-president) in the chair.
216 members were present, Seven new members were elected.
A paper on “Germs” was read by Dr. Mitchell Wilson.
In the course of his remarks Dr. Wilson drew attention to the very important part played in nature by the group of excessively minute bodies known as Bacteria. These are so small as to require the highest powers of the best instruments for their special study, and yet some of the most intricate problems relating to health and disease are associated with their presence and development.
He instanced an outbreak of fever which occurred some time ago in Berlin, and which upon careful examination was found ro be accompanied by a form of Bacteria, shaped like a corkscrew and known to scientists as Spirillum. These were found in immense quantities in the blood. Ro prove the correctness of the theory that the fever was due to these, a healthy person was inoculated with the blood from a diseased one and an attack of fever was the result. It had also been shown that a splenic fever, which attacks animals, and is very destructive, was due to Bacteria.
The putrefactive changes which are constantly going on around us, are in a great measure caused by germs of Bacteria and other allied organisms. Milk exposed to the air receives germs which are constantly floating about, and changes are induced which result in the milk curdling and becoming sour.
A week ago, the lecturer had boiled two samples of milk; the neck of the flask in which one sample had been boiled was immediately plugged with cotton wool, which, acting as a filter, kept out germs, and this sample, which was opened at the meeting, was found to be quite sweet.
The other, which had been freely exposed to the air, had undergone the usual changes, and on being examined by the microscope with a high power was seen to swarm with a special form of Bacteria, to which the name Bacterium Lactis has been applied. Similar instances of decomposition were enumerated, and the result exhibited under several microscopes.
The paper was illustrated with some beautifully executed sketches of various forms of Bacteria and other organisms.
A good discussion followed, after which a vote of thanks to Dr. Mitchell Wilson for his very interesting and instructive [pa[per was proposed by the Rev. W. Smith, and seconded by Mr. Stiles.
The next (conversational) meeting will be held on Dec. 1st
[The Doncaster, Nottingham & Lincoln Gazette, 19 November 1880]
In the same issue and on the same page, there appeared the following article.
Local Railway Extensions
The time for giving the necessary Parliamentary notices having expired, it may be observed that the Great Norther Company purpose, amongst others, to acquire
‘Certain lands in the parishes of Cantley and Loversal in the West Riding of Yorkshire, on the south-west side of the main line of the company, and extending from about 30 chains south-east of Black Carr Junction to about 26 chains north-west of the same junction.
Certain other lands in the parish of Cantley aforesaid, on the north-east side of the railway of the company, and extending from about 35 chains south-east of the Black Carr Junction to about 30 chains north-east of the same junction.
Certain lands in the township of Balby-with-Hexthorpe, in the parish of Doncaster, in the said West Riding, bounded on the north bt Balby Bank, and opposite ………..’ here the paper cutting stops.