36 



THE BACTERIAL FLORA OF RACIirTIC ST00L8. 



By R. Greig-Smitk, D.Sc, INL^clkay Bactkriologist to the 



Society. 



Rachitis appears to l:»e intimately associated with a disturbed 

 conilitioii of the normal digestive powers of the child, and is ia 

 all probability caused by badly balanced or insufficient feeding. 

 Findlay, however, traces it to a lack of exercise such as can be 

 brought about experimentally by confinement, and his experi- 

 ments are certainly very convincing. But possibly the lack of 

 exercise brings about a digestive disturbance, especially if it is 

 accompanied by improper feeding, and undoubtedly some of the 

 symptoms, e.g., abdominal distension, constipation, offensive 

 motions, point to intestinal disturbance. 



Tiiis being the case, it seemed to be possible that a bacteiio- 

 logical examination of the stools of children suffering from the 

 malndy might show some common bacterial condition, and with 

 tills idea a few specimens of dejecta were examined. The samples 

 were not so numerous as could have been wished for the end in 

 view, but Rachitis is not a common disease in Australia, and a 

 greater number could not be obtained. Still enough was done 

 to give an indication of the natui*e of the bacteria generally 

 found. 



The specimens of the stools'''' were received in sterilised bottles,. 

 to the wooden corks of which an iron spoon was attached. Upon 

 its arrival at the laboratory, the sample was thoroughly mixed- 

 and a gram of material was rubbed up in a sterile glass mortar 

 with 99c.c. of sterile water. One c.c. of this was mixed with 

 99 c.c. of sterile water( = suspension i.). Two c.c. of this suspen- 

 sion were mixed with 98 c.c. of sterile water ( = suspension ii.). 

 Plates of media were prepared, and, after the agar had set, a 

 diagonal was drawn across the bottom of the Petri dish with a 

 glass pencil. A large loop of stout platinum-iridium wire (internal 

 diameter of loop = 45 mm., was dipped in suspension i., and 

 smeai^ed over half of the plate. The loop was then pushed over 



* For the specunens of ihachitic stools and for the notes upon the cases- 

 Jam indebted to Dr. Stoiie Dixson. 



