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

60 SCIENCE AND RELIGION.vestigation, and Dr. Bastian himself has suppliedthe history of the closing scene, layingopen the whole correspondence to public investigation,as if he were unconscious of theconlplete demolition of his favorite theoryof " spontaneous generation." The 15th ofJuly, 1877, witnessed the close of a battle hehad been fighting against steadily increasingodds, and which he had begun in June, 1870.Dr. Bastian's position was " that a solution ofboiled potash caused bacteria to appear insterile urine at fifty degrees Cent., added ina quantity sufficient to neutralize the latter."These he regarded as the physico-chemicalconditions for spontaneous generation ofbacteria.The challenge from M. Pasteur was in theseterms;-" I defy Dr. Bastian to obtain, in thepresence of competent judges, the result towhich I have referred with sterile urine, onthe sole condition that the solution of potashtvliicli he employs be pure, i. e., made withpure water and pure potash, both free fromorganic matter. If Dr. Bastian wishes to usea solution of iinpure potash, I freely authorizehim to take any in the English or any otherPharmacopeia, being diluted or concentrated,