46 MEETING OF INSPECTORS OF APIARIES. 
streaked with a light inoculation most beautiful forms occur. The growth of 
the bacilli spreads over the surface and branches repeatedly, giving the 
appearance of seaweed. This appearance is distinctly characteristic; and as 
the growth is very rapid, this method commends itself for making a quick 
diagnosis of the presence of the bacillus in laryze supposed to be diseased. 
Potato cultures.—On potatoes the growth differs considerably, according to 
the reaction and age of the potato. Sometimes a brownish wrinkled growth 
forms, which gives off a peculiar odor; at other times a dryish yellow layer 
appears. “The bacilli grow very slowly indeed at 20° ©.” (Cheyne, Journal of 
the Royal Microscopical Society, 1885, p. 381). Even at 37° GC. they grow 
slowly. 
Milk.—In milk at 37° C. coagulation of the casein occurs in three days. The 
milk becomes yellowish and gives off a characteristic odor. After several 
weeks’ growth the curd is digested and a whey-like fluid remains. 
Blood serum.—On blood serum at 387° C. the growth is rather slow and 
polymorphic forms are common. ‘ Very long filaments are formed” (Cheshire 
and W. Cheyne, Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, 1885, p. 381). 
These long forms may be from five to ten times as long as the average bacillus 
growing on gelatine, and consists of single cells. The filaments are often wavy 
or twisted and of unequal thickness. The extremities of the long, bent rods 
are often clubbed; and Y-like forms are numerous. Spores are formed very 
sparingly, and the blood serum is liquefied. 
Synthetic media (Uschinsky).—In Uschinsky’s medium no growth occur aa 
but if the medium is neutralized, good growth ensues. The bacilli occur in 
threads and a pellicle is formed. 
Dunhan’s solution.—The bacilli are small when grown in this solution. No 
threads form, but there is a slight indol reaction after nine days’ growth. 
Relation to free oxygen.—Cheyne states that the germs grow most rapidly 
on the surface of agar and arrange themselves side by side; and they produce 
spores in this position after a few days’ growth. BHisenberg (Bakteriologische 
Diagnostik, Hamburg, 1891, p. 298) says nothing under the head of aerobiosis. 
Howard (Foul Brood: Its Natural History and Rational Treatment, Chicago, 
189+) writes that, ‘It grows best under anaerobic conditions; is a facultative 
aerobe; grows under the mica plate, and in the presence of oxygen the growth 
is slight and slow.” Howard also states that under anaerobic conditions it 
emits a foul odor resembling that of foul brood. It will be thus seen that 
Cheyne and Howard do not agree on this point. The former author also says 
that the characteristic odor is given off under aerobic conditions, whilst Howard 
states that this smell is emitted under anaerobic conditions. Further, Cheyne 
states that the bacilli grow with great rapidity on the surface of agar, whereas 
Howard obtains his best growth under the mica plate, which does not give 
complete anaerobiosis. Howard’s conclusions are thus at variance with 
Cheyne’s, and my own results fully corroborate those of the latter author. 
Howard states that the vitality of the spores of B. alvei is destroyed when 
exposed to atmospheric air from twenty-four to thirty-six hours. In making 
his experiments he took sterilized road dust and mixed it with the dry foul- 
brood masses from several cells, which were previously dissolved in distilled 
water. The mixture was worked dry and spread on sheets of paper, and trial 
cultures were made immediately and at intervals of every twelve hours for 
three days; and, according to his results, no growth occurred after thirty-six 
hours. In giving these results, Howard does not state whether he exposed the 
spores to sunlight or diffused light; nor does he mention the age of the dry foul- 
brood masses, which he used from several cells. These are points of considerable 
