Duchesne’s Antagonism between molds and bacteria, Introduction to the English Translation. 1

Much has been asserted by Anglophone scientists concerning Ernest Duchesne but this material is difficult to confirm and is often misleading. Because I wanted to know about Duchesne and what his research produced I spend some time translating his thesis (Duchesne 1897), with great difficulty because of my extraordinarily poor French. This work is the product of that effort and it was done largely to satisfy by own curiosity. However, one of the misfortunes of science is that some works are carried out but then not read or received by others who may benefit from them. Duchesne’s own work is an example of this and the fact it was largely ignored upon publication has preoccupied me. Therefore, rather than let this translation molder in my office I have decided to share it with my fellow microbiologists.