BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 679 



assume an oral form. Hence from every organism two new individuals arise by 

 division, in which by careful staining the uncolored central portion is easily dis- 

 tinguislied from the colored jjeriphery. If the process of multiplication is very rapid, 

 as in pigs and rabV)its. the organisms do not attain the size given above, but divide 

 before tlie unstained median piece becomes distinctly visible. Under these cii'cum- 

 stances the organisms of tlie succeeding generations are smaller, only one-half as 

 large as, or even smaller than, those which have resulted from the slow division of 

 the bacteria. The younger generations are frequently extraordinarily small, plainly 

 oval, however, and stauiing uniformly in gentian violet. * * * They do not ex- 

 ecute any spontaneous movements. 



This description applies very well to the microbe found by us in 

 pigs with lung disease. It points out the folly of expecting to de- 

 termine a specific form with the aid of a microscope and an aniline 

 stain only, when we reflect how many different forms of one specific 

 microbe may be met with, according to the rapidity of multiplication, 

 which in turn depends upon the medium in which they grow. 



We will continue Vv'ith the author's statement. The rabbit died on 

 the third day. From the inoculated ear an inflammatory swelling 

 had spread over the entire head and neck, due to an extensive effu- 

 sion of a turbid liquid into the subcutaneous connective tissue. En- 

 large]nent of neighboring lymphatics. Bacteria in the blood and all 

 organs, especially numerous in the subcutaneous effusion. The two 

 guinea-pigs and the pigeons remained well. Gelatine tubes inocu- 

 lated with this germ show no signs of liquefaction at any time. With 

 a pure culture on gelatine the author inoculated two mice, one rabbit, 

 and three pigeons. The mice died on the first and second day after in- 

 oculation respectively. The lesions were as follows: " Slight oedema 

 and hypersemia of the subcutis. Swelling of the lumbar, inguinal, 

 and mesenteric lymphatic glands. Large intestine filled with feces; 

 spleen considerably enlarged. Parenchymatous inflammation of 

 liver, kidneys, heart, and muscles. Portion of blood coagulated; the 

 remainder coagulates on exposure to air. Bacteria in all the organs." 



The rabbit died on the second day after inoculation. Besides local 

 and general lesions already mentioned, there is an implication of the 

 respiratory apparatus (tracheitis and bronchitis hemorrhagica). To 

 these lesions we cannot attribute any specific chai'acler whatever. 

 They are very likely due to proximity to the point of inoculation 

 (ear). If the animal had been inoculated in the thigh they might 

 have been absent. The pigeons remained well. 



Two pigs were inoculated with beef-infusion peptone culture, ob- • 

 tained from a mouse, each receiving subcutaneously the contents 

 of a Pravaz syringe. On the following day a considerable tumefac- 

 tion of the thigh appeared. The skin over the swelling was dark 

 red. Both animals were so weak as to be scarcely able to walk. No 

 appetite. Breathing accelerated. One of them died twenty-four 

 hours after inoculation. At the autopsy the following changes were 

 observed: Infiltration of skin, connective and muscular tissue at the 

 point of inoculation, with a red turbid effusion; tlie skin tough and 

 thickened. About 5b'"' of turbid yellow liquid in the peritoneal 

 cavity. The other changes given by the author do not point to any 

 specific lesions, and are omitted. The bacteria were found in the 

 exudates and in all the organs, especially numerous in the effusion 

 at the point of inoculation. The other pig died forty-eight hours 

 after inoculation. In this animal the local swelling was also very 

 extensive and severe. Bacteria in all the organs. 



The lesions indicated that the bacteria had at first multiplied and 

 exerted their pathogenic effect at the point of inoculation, and thence 



