INVERTEBKATA, CRYPTOGAMIA, MIOROSCOPY, ETC. 133 



33 c. c. of gas had been evolved ; on the twelfth the evolution under- 

 went a sudden increase. The gas was now collected daily and 

 analyzed as far as regards the percentage absorption by potash ; the 

 unabsorbed portion consisted of nearly pure hydrogen.* To select a 

 mean result : — The evolution ceased on the twenty-first day, and the 

 liquid contained ammonia, acetic acid, and glycocine, in addition to 

 peptones. From the above it appears that not only are the anaerobic 

 organisms in question capable of inducing the putrefactive decomposi- 

 tion of large quantities of organic matter, but they do so after having 

 been exposed to the boiling temperature. 



It may therefore be stated, generally, that proteids are brought 

 into putrefaction by anaerobic organisms, and are through their agency 

 resolved into products, such as glycocine, indole, phenol, acetic and 

 butyric acid (together with a certain quantity of carbonic acid and 

 ammonia) and that of these, the fatty and amido-acids are susceptible 

 of complete oxidation to carbonic anhydride and water (and 

 ammonia), under the influence of other forms of microzoa whose life 

 depends on a sujiply of oxygen. The relation of the functions of 

 these two groups of microzoa is in close analogy with that of Torula 

 to Mucor and Mucedo in the fermentation of sugar. 



The digestive process which occurs in the large intestine is a 

 putrefactive decomposition which must be referred to anaerobic 

 organisms, and one which occurs under the favourable condition of 

 the absorption of the products by the mucosa. There are also certain 

 pathological conditions of the body which are attended by putre- 

 faction in absence of atmospheric oxygen. The author gives full 

 details of the chemical and microscopical examination of pus taken 

 from two subjects, shortly after death in one case from acute cystitis, 

 in the other from pleuritis. From both he succeeded in isolating 

 phenol and indole, and he also observed the identity of the organisms 

 present with the anaerobic microzoa previously described. The pus- 

 corpuscles had for the most part undergone no change of form, 

 whence it must be concluded that the putrefaction, which had been 

 going on for months, was extremely tardy in character; this is 

 probably in consequence of the prevention of the escape of tho 

 products. 



In conclusion, the author states that he is satisfied that these 

 microzoa arc present in normal tissues and glands. 



New pathogenous Bacillus.f — Professor C. J. Eberth describes a 

 new form of Bacillus, found by him in the liver of a badger. Tho 

 examination was conducted about half an hour after the animal's 

 death. 



The method adopted was to place thin sections of liver into a 

 tolerably strong aqueous solution of methyl violet (quality BBBBB) 

 for one to six hours ; then to wash tho sections carefully in water con- 

 taining two to three drops of strong acetic acid to tlio ounce, allowing 

 thein to remain in it for one to four hours, until no more colouring 



* Tho occurrence of hydrogen as a product of this decomposition etnndp in 

 opposition to tho observation of Jeanneret. 



t ' Arch, pathol. Anat. und Phys.' (Vircliow), Ixxvii. (1S7D) p. 29. 



