This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
Years of study and research in microbiology resulting in an intimate understanding of the subject have prepared the author to write this opportune book. Scientists have been aware of the interrelations of microorganisms for many years; recently an awakening to the possibilities of the practical application of these antagonistic relations has decidedly accelerated interest and investigation. The book describes and discusses the teeming microscopic plant and animal population of soil, water basins and human and animal wastes. It treats of their complicated interrelations, especially the antagonistic, the mechanisms of these reactions and the antibiotic substances produced and the utilization of antagonistic micro-organisms in the control of disease in human beings, animals and plants. Since more detailed studies have been made on the production, nature and utilization of penicillin, it is natural that special attention is focused on this agent, though the many substances possessing bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties are given