The Microscope. '^83 



The Bacillus and Ptomaine of Lock-Jaw. — Not long ago Nico- 

 laier, working in Flugge's laboratory, found a bacillus which had 

 the power to produce in animals the phenomenon of lock-jaw 

 (tetanus traumaticus). Afterwards Rosenbach succeeded in 

 obtaining the same bacillus from the wound of a man who had died 

 of lock-jaw. L. Brieger has recently prepai'ed from flesh a ptomaine 

 which produces in animals the same symptoms as those which are 

 produced by injecting the specific tetanus bacillus. To the substance 

 he gives the name " tetanine." He has, further, found the same 

 substance in a human cadaver which had for several months been 

 undergoing spontaneous decomposition. Tetanine is a definite 

 chemical compound which can be purified by the usual chemical 

 methods, and was so purified by the discoverer. Brieger also found 

 in tetanus-cultures another ptomaine which has the power to produce 

 cramps and other symptoms closely resembliag those of lock-jaw. 

 The finding of the tetanus bacillus and j^tomaine suggests an 

 explanation of certain facts which have been known for some time. 

 In some localities persons with wounds are particularly liable to 

 lock-jaw. In one such locality, at least, large areas of land are 

 covered for part of the year , with the refuse from fish-oil factories. 

 It seems not improbable that in the decomposition of the fish the 

 ptomaine described by Brieger may be formed, and that, as the 

 matter dries, it may find its way into the air to some extent ; or it 

 may be present in the earth, and contact with the earth may cause 

 its introduction into the wound. 



NEWS AND NOTES. 



A LENS which magnifies, and yet is perfectly flat on both sides is 

 a scientific novelty. It is made at Jena, by the manufacturer of 

 Prof. Abbe's new optical glass. The lens consists of a single disk, 

 whose density varies so that its refractive power decreases regularly 

 from the surface inward. — Scieidific American. ' 



Bacillus is the diminutive of baculnn}, and means a little rod. 

 It is larger than bacteriu.m, though both are characterized by a rod- 

 like shape. Formerly the bacilli were confused in the general term 

 infuso7'ia. They were first specifically described by Midler befofe 

 1850. — Nat. Druggist. 



The Harvard Natural History Society, having for a number of 

 years been in a particularly dormant state, has recently, by the ener- 

 getic work of its president, Mr. Nolan, sprung into life again. 



