AND CONTENTS OF THE MOUTH. 305 



those forms of Leptothrix and the fertility of their stems. This 

 specimen is at tiie disposal of anyone who wishes to examine it. 



We shall, by-and by, deal with the fructification obtained from 

 urinary mucus. 



With regard to the oidium forms found in this sputum, I will 

 say two words concerning their fructifications. I have dealt with 

 this argument formerly (see previous Memoir), and spoken about 

 cultures upon peels of lemons and various other nutrient media ; 

 but I have found it more expedient and satisfactory to let the 

 fungi of the sputum germinate in the sputum itself. 



The better soil for cultures is that in which spores and branch- 

 ing filaments carry out their immersed vegetation. In order that 

 aerial vegetation should take place, two conditions are required : 

 the first is that the materials of culture (in this case, the sputum) 

 should be moderately dry on the surface ; and the second is that 

 the under layer, or the lowest stratum of the sputum, should be 

 kept wet in order to feed the vegetation. Now, both conditions 

 are fulfilled by placing a part of the sputum, impregnated with 

 spores and sprouts, on the bottom of a wine-glass slightly hollow, 

 so that the sputum should sufficiently spread and rise to four or 

 five millimetres. The wine-glass and its cover should be previ- 

 ously cleansed with sulphuric acid, and washed out with alcohol. 

 Through the wide opening of the glass the fructifications can be 

 easily observed and scraped out for microscopical examination. 

 Generally, fructification is completed on the fourth day, by keep- 

 ing the glass well sheltered in the dark. 



The sputum, impregnated with oidium forms, exhibited on the 

 fourth day a simple fructification of Penicillium glaucum. Natu- 

 rally, we do not intend by this to discuss the question brougln 

 forward by Hallier — i.e.^ whether the oidium forms be one phase of 

 the Penicillium and Muco7' kinds. 



Dissemination of the above-described Microbes on 

 THE Posterior Organs. 



Considering now the extended vegetation and fructification of 

 Leptothrix upon the dental surface and superposed layers ; its 

 abundant germination on the tongue, its constant presence in the 

 epithelia of the cavities of the mouth and pharynx, its very active 



