134 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Apr 



terium he describes can be accepted as the specific etio- 

 logic factor, he does not hesitate to offer the following- con- 

 clusions in support of its specific pathogenic nature : The 

 apparent uniform occurrence of the bacteria in the sputum 

 of whooping cough cases and their non-observance in sputa 

 of a large series of cases of other affections. The pecular 

 correspondence of the bacteriological findings with the 

 clinical course. Furthermore, the experience that the 

 greatest danger of transmission of the disease lies in the 

 catarrhal stadium, i. e., in a stage in which the bacteria are 

 found in the purest state and largest numbers. 



Influenza Bacillus. — Bacteriological examination of a 

 case supposed to be one of pneumococcus infection reveal- 

 ed the fact that about ninety-five per cent of the micro-or- 

 ganisms in the smears were influenza bacilli. This is in- 

 teresting when contrasted with two other cases giving 

 symptoms of influenza, in one of which streptococci were 

 found and in the other pneumococci, but no influenza ba- 

 cilli. The latter were easily obtained from the infected 

 lungs by streaking an agar plate first with blood from the 

 rabbit and then with the exudate. From the sputa it is 

 more difficult, and at least half a dozen plates should be 

 made. The colonies are about half the size of those of the 

 pneumococcus and were exceedingly faint. These bacilli 

 grow in haemoglobinor blood and occasionally make threads. 

 They grow only at fairly high temperatures, and do not 

 produce septicaemia in animals. They were not stained 

 by Gram. As a rule, these bacilli do not grow at all sec- 

 ondarily without blood, and never to any extent. 



A fair guess at the identity can be made from the large 

 number of small bacilli present rather than from the 

 grouping. No observer could absolutely distinguish the 

 the influenza bacilli in the sputum alone. These bacilli 

 grow best in pigeon's or rabbit's blood, and very little 

 haemoglobin was required. Sterililized horse's blood had 

 also given fair results. — Dr.W. H. Park, N. Y. Path. Soc. 



Typhoid Bacillus in Milk. — The germs being in milk be- 

 fore churning are found in butter three months later. 



