Prof. Burrill in a recent lecture at Chautauqua, contends that it is fully demonstrated that Bacteria cause disease and are not the product thereof. We hardly know in what way this has been demonstrated. The germs of these low orders of vegetation exist everywhere; this is conceded. They germinate when the circumstances are favorable; this also is conceded. To say that they cause disease is to say that they create the conditions under which they vegetate, and this is not philosophical. Still if it is "demonstrated" that this is a fact, there could be no opposition to the acceptance of the belief. Inoculation of a healthy subject is not demonstration, as some tissue is injured by the act, and this injured tissue may be sufficient to start the foe. If any other demonstration has been offered, it has not come under the notice of the Editor. That fungous growth, after it has once started, will destroy tissue, has been demonstrated, but the conditions that give it the first start have not been made so clear.