The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

60 SCIENCE AND RELIGION.meat, fish, besides egg-albumen, blood, andurine. Vegetable productions, animal tissue,and secretions of the human body closely connectedwith vital processes, were thus subjectedto test. In the history of investigation,attention ultimately concentrated on theinfusion of hay and on urine. Observationswere conducted in Paris and London; resultswere published from time to time; singulardivergence became apparent in these recordedresults; this led to controversy, which becameso keen, that the Academy of Sciences in Parisappointed a commission of three to adjudicateupon a challenge given by M. Pasteur of Paristo Dr. Bastian of London; which Commissionmet in Paris on 15th July, 1877, butnever adjudicated in the matter."The perplexities encountered in con.ducti11gobservations arose chiefly from two causes:the difficulty of ascertaining the temperatureat which living organisms were certainly destroyed,and the materials sterilized; and thatof guarding against interference with this statewhen established, by contact with the atmosphere.The latter perplexity, involving muchcare, skilful manipulation, and mechanical con-* Nature vol. xvi. p. 276.