From 1892 for a few years great attention was given to epidemics 

 of bacterial diseases of fish on the Continent. Fischel and Enoch 

 (1892) investigated a disease of carp and isolated an organism which 

 they state was a Gram-negative bacillus, formed spores, and produced a 

 toxic substance for both cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals. 



Charrin (1893) isolated several bacilli, one of which proved 

 pathogenic, from diseased fish on the Rhone. This pathogen was a motile 

 bacillus which grew at 20° C. but not at 37° C. It liquefied gelatin 

 and produced acid and clot in milk. Fish became infected from water 

 contaminated with the bacillus, and hemorrhages occurred in muscle and 

 skin. Toxins were produced and these were precipitable by alcohol and 

 were virulent for warmr-blooded animals as well as for fish. 



Bataillon (1893-94) and Bataillon and Dubard (1893) investigated 

 a disease affecting trout and their eggs, aind also crayfish and frogs. 

 The organism described was a motile bacillus which often occurred in 

 pairs. It liquefied gelatin which became slightly green but not 

 fluorescent. The fish affected showed intramuscular lesions, general 

 congestion and blood infection. The strains isolated from trout, frogs, 

 and crayfish, all had the same characteristics and were pathogenic for 

 these animals. Infection occurred from contaminated water and a toxin 

 precipitable by alcohol was formed. Bataillon (1893-2/4) thought that 

 this organism belonged to the group " Termo " ( Proteus ). Williamson (1929) 

 felt that the bacillus isolated ty Charrin (1893) "was the same as this. 



In Russia, Sieber-Schoumowa (1895) described another toxin- 

 producing organism from diseased fish and called it B. piscicidus agilis . 

 She stated that it was Gram- negative and produced spores. Death was 

 caused in experimental animals by oral administration of either the 

 bacillus or its toxin. 



Several cases have been recorded of disease production in fish 

 by Vibrios . Canestrini (1892-93) reported a disease of eels caused by 

 an organism like V. comma . This vibrio was pathogenic for fish and 

 frogs, but not for warm-blooded animals. It retained its viability 

 longer in salt water than in fresh water. 



