172 BACTERIA IN THE SPUTA 



or swollen, or deviate from the axis (Fig. i, A, B, C). By staining 

 process we find, particularly in the pig, articulations subdivided 

 into two or four cocci ; or groups of two or four, which at times 

 occupy the whole length of the filament (Fig. 8). In the tufts 

 can be seen straight and tortuous filaments. The bending is 

 graceful and extended. These are styled by the author, Vibrmiic or 

 SpirochcEtic forms (reproduced in our Fig. 8). In the more slender 

 filaments we can observe the transition from the vibrionic to the 

 spirillic form upon a single filament (Figs. lo and ii). In the 

 spirillic forms of these slender filaments, by means of a proper 

 colouration, the articulations can be detected. 



In 1883, Miller suspected that the same slender spires of the 

 Patina Dentaria would rise from the fragments of long and slen- 

 der tortuous filaments (Figs. 13 and 17). In the dental Spirochseta 

 there is no trace of articulations, but in the marshy Spirochaeta, 

 through the weak colouring of Zopf, are detected several articula- 

 tions in every filament (Fig. 20). Hence, then, the author inferred 

 that relations existed between the Spiroch^ta and other microbes 

 of the mouth. But now, in his work of 1889, he seems to have 

 discarded his former theory of unity of forms. 



Miller is unable to say whether the Leptothrix, detected by him 

 and by others in the tame herbivora and in the pig, is identical 

 with that which lodges in the mouth of man and of the carnivora. 

 He says that it would be necessary to institute pure cultures. 

 Anyhow, it is important to admit the existence of Leptothrix^ even 

 in the herbivora. Whilst before it was held that Leptothrix lodged 

 exclusively in the mouth of carnivora, Zopf had already admitted 

 its existence in the herbivora.* It is true that it is less frequent 

 in the herbivora ; but, if we are not mistaken, it must be taken 

 into consideration that these, and especially the ruminants, are 

 continually using their teeth, so that the parasite cannot thrive 

 there at ease.f 



* Cornhill and Babes' quoted work, page 135 ; Zorpf already quoted. 

 This author thinks it probable that Leptothrix bnccalis originated from the 

 external world, especially through water and food. We have already mentioned 

 the Leptothrix found by us in the sediment of a bottle of water ; but how can 

 we explain the Leptothrix in genito-urinary passages ? 



t Miller, Uebereinen Zahn Spaltpilz, Leptothrix ( Berichte der gigantea 

 Detitschen Botanischen Gesellschaft^ Heft 5, 1883, p. 221). 



