Bacillus CEdematis Maligni, Pasteur (1877). 



VIBRION SEPTIQUE (of Pasteur). MALIGNANT EDEMA; SEPTICEMIE 

 GANGRENE GAZEUSE (Fr.)'< MALIGNES CEDEM (Germ). 



ORIGIN. From animals inoculated with garden soil; from in- 

 fected horse and from man. In putrid liquids, and in intestines. 



FORM. Rods about three times as long- as wide, with rounded 

 ends; usually single, but may form threads especially in the body. 

 In size, etc., resembles the bacillus of S. anthrax; is narrower than 

 the anthrax bacillus. 



MOTILITY. Actively motile. Lateral flagella; giant whips (Novy). 



SPORULATION. In bouillon and agar, spores appear in 24 hours. 

 The best temperature is about 37. The spores are median or nearly 

 so, with corresponding enlargement of the parent cell. 



ANILIN DYES. React readily. It is stained by slightly modified 

 Gram's method. Spores double stain readily. 



GROWTH. Is very rapid, especially on glucose media. Requires 

 anaerobic conditions. 



Plates. >n gelatin, colonies develop in 2-3 days, and under the microscope resemble 

 those of the Hay bacillus. As they become larger gas bubbles form. On agar plates at 37" 

 the colonies appear as an irregular, dense net-work of threads. 



Stab culture. In gelatin, growth occurs in the lower part of the tube; the gelatin is 

 liquefied, gas given off and the growth settles to the bottom. Agar cultures are torn into 

 several parts by the gas which is formed. In the liquid on the bottom of the tube, giant 

 whips can be found by staining. 



Streak culture. On agar, offers no special characteristics. Grows on potato with- 

 out forming a scum. 



Bouillon. Becomes cloudy, and in 1-2 days the growth settles to the bottom as a 

 low, adherent sediment, and in a few days the liquid becomes clear. 



Glucose gelatin, colored with litmus. In air at 37 is liquefied and litmus first 

 reduced, then in presence of oxygen it becomes red acid production. 



Milk. Develops a good growth; a part of the casein is precipitated. Starch is not 

 changed to sugar. 



OXYGKN REQUIREMENTS. Is an obligative anaerobe. Grows in vacuum, 

 hydrogen, carbonic acid, etc. 



TEMPERATURE. Growth is best at the temperature of the body. 

 Can grow at ordinary temperature. 



BEHAVIOR TO GELATIN. -Liquefies. 



AEROGENESIS. On glucose media, especially when distinctly alka- 

 line, it gives rise to the production of g"as. 



ATTENUATION. Bouillon cultures retain virulence for months. In 

 general the virulence varies greatly. Virulence increased in mixed 

 cultures (prodigiosus, proteus, etc.). 



IMMUNITY. -One attack of malignant edema does not protect 

 ag-ainst a second. 100 c.c. of heated or filtered cultures injected into 

 guinea-pigs in three portions confers immunity; 6-8 c.c. of the serous 

 exudate accomplish the same result. 



PATHOGEN ESIS. Rabbit susceptible distinction from symptomatic 

 anthrax. The horse, hog", dog, cat, chicken, dove, guinea-pig", mouse 

 and man, are susceptible. Cattle are immune. Subcutaneous inocu- 

 lation in guinea-pig's of % c.c. or more of bouillon culture produces 

 death in about 24 hours. Marked subcutaneous, spreading, reddish 

 edema; muscles dark. Bacilli present, single or in threads, in subcu- 

 taneous tissue, on serous surfaces as peritoneum, etc.; scarce or not 

 present in the blood. 25-30 c.c. of the filtered bouillon culture, in- 

 jected subcutaneously, kills guinea-pig's. 



INFECTION. Takes place by inoculation through wounds. Poisoned 

 arrows of the New Hebrides. Rag-picker's disease, supposed to be due 

 to inhalation of this bacillus; is probably anthrax. 



DIAGNOSIS. To be distinguished from anthrax. The distribution, 

 form, motility and cultural properties, will enable differentiation. 



300 



