Physiology of Microbes. 35 



Putrefaction in the air. — The multiple fermentations 

 developed by microbes cause softening of the paren- 

 chyma, dissolution of the blood globules, infiltration 

 of coloring matters in dependent parts, gaseous disen- 

 gagements wliich permeate the connective tissue and 

 elevate the skin, bloating, swelling of various parts of 

 the body, rupture of the surfaces and oozing of sani- 

 ous fluids. We then find aerobic germs implanting 

 themselves in these fluids, consuming by the aid of 

 the oxygen of Ihe air the products of anaerobic fer- 

 mentations, and thus completing the mineralization 

 of the organic substance. 



Such are the phenomena which supervene in bodies 

 left in the air ; they reduce these bodies to pulp in a 

 few weeks, more or less rapidly according to the tem- 

 perature. 



Putrefaction under water. — In water, anaerobes only 

 come into play; in running waters the surface of the 

 cadaver is constantly being washed and superficial 

 microbic invasion thereby prevented. On account of 

 the preservation of the elasticity of the skin by con- 

 stant bathing the swelling is more intense and more 

 uniform. The accumulation of gases causes the body 

 to float, and the blood accumulates in the dependent 

 parts, in which alone cadaveric patches are produced. 



Putrefaction in the soil. — Burial of a cadaver in a 

 porous and absorbent soil is followed by absorption 

 by the latter of the organic fluids as they are pro- 

 duced. From this results a comparative desiccation 

 which maintains a certain degree of consistence in the 

 body and interferes with microbic puUulation, whilst 

 it favors the invasion of fungi. Hence, we see the 

 development of molds (penicillium, aspergillus, etc.) 



