Page 47 - Ethel D. Hume - Bešam ili Paster: Izgubljeno poglavlje u istoriji biologije

BfiCHAMP OR PASTEUR?
44
macy in Strasbourg. The experiment was concluded on
the 3rd February, 1855.
In this experiment perfectly pure cane-sugar was dis-
solved in distilled water in a glass bottle with an air-tight
stopper, but containing a little air. This was left on the
laboratory table at ordinary temperature and in diffused
light.
At the same time, control experiments were prepared.
These consisted of solutions of similar distilled water and
cane-sugar, to one of which was added a little zinc
chloride, and to the others a little calcium chloride; in
each one a small amount of air was left, just as in the bottle
containing the first, or test, solution. These bottles were
stoppered in the same way as the first, and all were left
alongside each other in the laboratory.
In the course of some months, the cane-sugar in the
distilled water was partially transformed into grape-sugar,
and the polarimeter showed that alteration had taken
place in the medium, since there was a change in the angle
of rotation. In short, an alteration had taken place, but
possibly not spontaneously, for on the 1 5th ofJune moulds
had put in an appearance and from that date alteration
progressed much more rapidly.
The following table I on page 45 is a brief summary
of the results of Bechamp's experiments.