(Sie pn 
it must be possible, in case of acute Beri-beri, to isolate such like 
bacteria from the faeces of the patients. It is however possible that 
they perish in the rectum, as is the case with Polyneuritis of chickens, in 
whose whole intestine canal very often the acetifying bacilli are 
exclusively found, and yet it is very difficult to detect them in the 
Coecum. Consequently we shall have to wait for a favourable case, 
in which post mortem a fresh stomach and the small intestines can be 
examined *). Should even under the most favourable conditions (acute 
death in the first stadium) the bacilli not be found, either human 
Beri-beri_ and Polyneuritis gallinarum is not the same, or there are 
different generators of the many diseases that have been classified 
with the group Beri-beri. Yet I hope that, even in this case, the 
results lying before us may be of use to ascertain the aetiology of 
these diseases, which are, at all events, closely allied to Polyneuritis 
gallinarum. Though a preliminary communication does not require 
that the literature of the subject is reproduced in it, yet I have 
taken account of the literature in order to avoid prejudicing prior 
rights of others, and to control my own results. Prof. EykMAN was 
kind enough to place his collection of separata at my disposal, for 
which kindness I offer him my sincerest thanks. Much literature is 
likewise found in the book of Dirck. 
I foresee that, when my results are controlled, the fact that it is 
exceedingly difficult to cultivate the bacillus peinted out by me, with 
conservation of its virulence, will excite the most important criticism. 
Moreover the bacilli (from air or wall) isolated from sour rice act 
much stronger than those isolated from rice-grains. Other differences 
depend on the seasons. Experiments with bacilli that have already 
been modified will of course give other results. I hope however to 
succeed in finding a method enabling us always to dispose of vigorous 
bacilli. The capriciousness or variability of the bacillus reminds us 
of the fact that likewise the evidence of the symptoms of Beri-beri 
with rice-feeding is exceedingly capricious, with regard to the earlier 
or later date of its appearance, as the protocols given by EyYKMAN 
and Horsr show (differences of three weeks). This resistance is attri- 
buted to the animals, which may be true but has not been proved. 
I give here these preliminary results, as my personal means do 
not allow me to continue the required experiments with different 
articles of food, and the different methods of preparing rice in every 
detail. Perhaps others disposing of ampler means will be inclined to 
repeat these experiments, and to bring them both here and in India 
to the end wished for. Utrecht, 27 January 1911. 
1) According to vAN GorKom, WRIGHT, DuBRUEL human Beri-beri always begins 
with inflammation of the mucous membrare of the stomach and the intestines. 
