142 HISTORY AND CAUSE OF THE COCONUT BUD-EOT. 



was made as described on pages 127 to 136. It was found that in 

 the majority of the plates and subsequent cultures made from them 

 true Bacillus coli was present as indicated by these tests. 



Subsequently, on September 26, 1910, more diseased material was 

 secured near Baracoa, but it was impossible to make cultures at that 

 time. The material was brought to Washington, and after 16 days 

 from the time the material was collected platings were made and 

 Bacillus coli isolated. A majority of the colonies on the plates gave 

 the typical reaction, and likewise by the subsequent transfer to 

 litmus milk, nitrate bouillon, neutral red in fermentation tubes, 

 and gelatin the presence of Bacillus coli was indicated. 



COMPARISON OF BACILLUS COLI WITH VARIOUS ORGANISMS 

 ISOLATED FROM THE COCONUT. 



In the earl}^ work of the writer many cultures were made from the 

 diseased coconut palms, as has been stated on previous pages. 

 None of these were studied sufficiently in a cultural way to identify 

 them. Dr. Smith also obtained numerous bacterial cultures during 

 his work in Baracoa, but none of them were studied sufficiently to 

 prove them the cause of the bud-rot or to identify them in any way. 

 Studies were made, however, with many of these cultures in such 

 media as Htmus milk, nitrate bouillon, sugar peptone, or sugar broth. 

 As these media give characteristic reactions for Bacillus coli, the 

 reaction of these various organisms in them will give some indication 

 of whether they are similar to Bacillus coli or are decidedly different. 

 A great difference in the cultures would make it difficult to explain 

 so many isolations totally dissimilar. On the other hand some 

 similarity, that is to say sunilarity so far as tested, would indicate 

 that probably Bacillus coli had been isolated in early cultures, but 

 was not identified as such. If some of Dr. Smith's cultures can be 

 shown to be similar to Bacillus coli, so far as tested, it will tend to 

 corroborate this paper, which shows that the colon organism is found 

 in the advancing margin of the diseased tissue and is the cause of 

 the diseased condition. 



The following are brief notes on some of the early cultures made by 

 the writer: 



Culture Cuba B No. 2 of January 2, 1908, produced gas in fermentation tubes with 

 maltose. 



Culture Cuba B No. 3 produced gas in fermentation tubes containing dextrose. 



Culture Demerara B No. 5 of January 2, 1908, produced gas in fermentation tubes 

 with maltose. 



Culture Demerara B No. 6 produced gas in fermentation tubes with dextrose. 



Culture Cuba Nos. 1, 2, and 3 of April 9, 1908, reduced the litmus entirely with the 

 exception of a slight reddening at the surface. At room temperature coagulation took 

 place in four days. 

 228 



