Читать книгу The Fundamentals of Bacteriology - Charles Bradfield Morrey - Страница 20

Bacteria are probably the most widely distributed of living organisms. They are found practically everywhere on the surface of the earth. Likewise in all surface waters, in streams, lakes and the sea. They occur in the air immediately above the surface, since they are carried up mechanically by air currents. They cannot fly of themselves. There is no reason to believe that any increase in numbers occurs to an appreciable extent in the air. The upper air, for example, on high mountains, is nearly free from them. So also is the air over midocean, and in high latitudes. As a rule, the greater the amount of dust in the air, the more numerous are the bacteria. Hence they are found more abundantly in the air in cities and towns than in the open country. The soil is especially rich in numbers in the upper few feet, but they diminish rapidly below and almost disappear at depths of about six feet unless the soil is very porous and open, when they may be carried farther down. Hence the waters from deep wells and springs are usually devoid of these organisms. In the sea they occur at all levels and have been found in bottom ooze dredged from depths of several miles. It is perhaps needless to add that they are found on the bodies and in the alimentary tract of human beings and animals; on clothing, utensils; in dwellings, stables, outhouses, etc. From one-fourth to one-half of the dry weight of the feces of animals and men is due to the bacteria present. The urine is practically free from them in health.

While bacteria are thus found nearly everywhere, it is an entirely mistaken idea to suppose that all are injurious to man. As a matter of fact, those which are dangerous are relatively few and are for the most part found only in close association with man. Most bacteria are harmless and the vast majority are beneficial or even essential to man’s existence on the earth. These facts must be constantly borne in mind, and it is hoped that the pages which follow will make them clear.

In order that any organism may thrive there are a number of general environmental conditions which must be fulfilled. These conditions vary more or less for each kind of organism. Bacteria are no exception to this general rule. These conditions may be conveniently considered under the general heads of moisture; temperature; light; oxygen supply; osmotic pressure; action of electricity; of Röntgen and radium rays; pressure; mechanical vibration; and chemical environment, including the reaction of the medium, the effect of injurious chemicals, and especially the food requirements of bacteria. For each of these conditions there is a maximum, meaning the greatest amount of the given condition which the organism can withstand, a minimum, or the least amount, and an optimum or that amount which is most favorable for development. Further, there might be distinguished a maximum for mere existence and a lower maximum for development; also a minimum for mere existence and a higher minimum for development. These maxima, minima, and optima for bacteria have been determined with exactness for only a very few of the general conditions and for comparatively few kinds.