The first edition of "The Principles of Bacteriology" was published in 1891. Other editions that I have information about were published in 1894 (2nd ed.), 1897 (4th ed.), and 1905 (7th ed.).

Included on this web page are the and Table of Contents from the first edition. Images are from the fourth edition.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

In preparing this book the author has kept in mind the needs of the student and practitioner of medicine, for whom the importance of an acquaintance with practical bacteriology cannot be overestimated.

It is to advances made through bacteriological research that we are indebted for much of our knowledge of the conditions underlying infection, and for the elucidation of many hitherto obscure problems concerning the etiology, the modes of transmission, and the means of prevention of infectious maladies.

Only within a comparatively short time have students and physicians been enabled to obtain the systematic instruction in this science that is of value in aiding them in their efforts to check disease. The rapid increase in the number who are availing themselves of these opportunities speaks directly for the practical value of the science.

As the majority of those undertaking the study of bacteriology do so with the view of utilizing it in medical practice, and as many of these can devote to it but a portion of their time, it is desirable that the subject- matter be presented in as direct a manner as possible.

Presuming the reader to be unfamiliar with the subject, the author has restricted himself to those fundamental features that are essential to its understanding. The object has been to present the important ideas and methods as concisely as is compatible with clearness, and at the same time to accentuate throughout the underlying principles which govern the work.

With the view of inducing independent thought on the part of the student, and of diminishing the frequency of that oft-heard query, "What shall I do next?" experiments have been suggested wherever it is possible. These have been arranged to illustrate the salient points of the work and to attract attention to the minute details, upon the observation of which so much in bacteriology depends.

A. C. A.
PHILADELPHIA, DECEMBER, 1891.

Table of Contents pages from the
first edition (263 pages):

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
	PAGE
"Omme vivum ex vivo"- The overthrow of the doctrine of spontaneous generation...	13-21
CHAPTER I.
Definition of bacteria-Their place in nature-Differ- ence between parasites and saprophytes-Nutrition of bacteria-Products of bacteria-Their relation to oxygen-Influence of temperature upon their growth . . . . . . . . . .	22-28
CHAPTER II.
Morphology of bacteria-Grouping-Mode of multiplication-Spore-formation-Motility . . . . . . . . . . . . .	29-36
CHAPTER III.
Principles of sterilization by heat-Different methods employed-Principles of Discontinued sterilization-Sterilization under pressure-Apparatus employed . . . . . . .	37-48
CHAPTER IV.
Disinfection-Antiseptics-Inorganic salts as disinfectants-The value of corrosive sublimate-Heat . . . . . .	49-53
CHAPTER V.
The principles involved in the methods of isolation of bacteria in pure culture by the plate method of Koch-Materials employed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	54-58
vi CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
	PAGE
Preparation of media-Bouillon, gelatin, agar-agar, potato, blood-serum, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	59-76
CHAPTER VII.
Preparation of the tubes, flasks, etc., in which the media are to be preserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	77-80
CHAPTER VIII.
Technique of making plates-Esmarch tubes, Petri dishes. etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	81-90
CHAPTER IX.
The incubator used in bacteriological work-Gas-pressure regulator-Thermo-regulator-The form of burner employed in heating the incubator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	91-98
CHAPTER X.
The study of colonies-Their naked-eye peculiarities and their appearance under different conditions-Differences in the structure of colonies from different species of bacteria-Stab cultures-Slant cultures . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	99-103
CHAPTER XI.
Systematic study of an organism-Steps necessary in identifying an organism as a definite species . . . . . .	104-121
CHAPTER XII.
Methods of staining-Solutions employed-Preparation and staining of cover-slips-Preparation of tissues for section-cutting-Staining of tissues-Special staining methods . . . . . .	122-150
CHAPTER XIII.
Inoculation of animals-Subcutaneous inoculation-Intra-venous injection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	151-158
CONTENTS. vii
CHAPTER XIV.
	PAGE
Post-mortem examination of animals-Bacteriological examination of the tissues-Disposal of tissues and disinfection of instruments after the examiniation . . . . . .	159-163
CHAPTER XV.
Scheme for the complete study of an organism . . . . . . . . .	164-165
PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE METHODS OF BACTERIOLOGY.
CHAPTER XVI.
To obtain material with which to begin work . . . . . . . . . . .	167-170
CHAPTER XVII.
Various experiments in sterilization-Steam and by hot air methods of sterilizating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	171-175
CHAPTER XVIII.
Bacteriological study of water, air, and soil-Methods of counting the colonies on the plates-WolffhŸgel's counting apparatus-Sedgwick's method . . . . . . . . . . .	176-191
CHAPTER XIX.
Innoculation experiments with sputum-Sputum septic¾mia-Septic¾mia resulting from the presence of the micrococcus tetragenus in the tissues-Tuberculosis . .	192-200
CHAPTER XX.
Tuberculosis-Microscopic appearance of military tubercles-Diffuse caseation-Cavity-formation-Encapsulation of tuberculosis foci-Primary infection-Modes of infection-Localization of the bacilli in the tissues-Staining peculiarities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	201-216
viii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXI.
	PAGE
Suppuration-The staphylococcus pyogenes aureus . . . .	217-224
CHAPTER XXII.
Typhoid fever-Study of the organism concerned in its production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	225-231
CHAPTER XXIII.
Study of the bacillus anthracis, and the effects produced by its inoculation into animals-Peculiarities of the organism under varying conditions of surroundings . . . .	232-242
CHAPTER XXIV.
Bacteriology of diphtheria-Behavior of the bacillus diphtheria in the tissues of susceptible animals . . .	243-252
CHAPTER XXV.
Experiments illustrating precautions to be taken in the study of disinfectants and antiseptics-Skin-disinfection .	253-257

 

The information and images provided on this page were obtained from:

The Principles of Bacteriology:
A Practical Manual for Students and Physicians
A. C. Abbott, M.D.
Lea Brothers & Co.
1892 (first edition)
1897 (fourth edition)

I am grateful to Ms. Patricia Heller (Head Librarian of the Leon Levy Library) for help in obtaining reference materials. Ms. Heller can be reached at: heller@pobox.upenn.edu. Thanks are also extended to the Lane Medical Library of Stanford University for supplying a copy of the first edition of "The Principles of Bacteriology".

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