Vibrio Finkler-Prior, Finkler and Prior (1884). 



VIBRIO PROTEUS, FINKLER-PRIOR'S SPIRILLUM. 



ORIGIN. In the dejections of cholera nostras which had been 

 kept fourteen days. It is not the cause of cholera nostras. Appar- 

 ently the same organism has been found in a tooth cavity (V. Miller), 

 and also in normal intestines. 



FORM. It resembles the cholera vibrio but is longer and thicker: 

 occasionally forms short spirals. Marked tendency to involution 

 forms, hence the name V. proteus. These develop especially in 

 gelatin which contains glucose or glycerin. 



MOTILITY. It is actively motile and has a single flagellum at one 

 end. 



SPORULATION. This has not been observed. 

 ANILIN DYES. Stain readily. 



GROWTH. Is much more rapid than that of the cholera vibrio, 

 from which it can be easily distinguished. 



Plates. The colonies develop rapidly on gelatin plates and produce extensive circu- 

 lar liquefactions which are diffusely clouded. Under the microscope they appear as yellow- 

 ish brown, finely granular masses, the contents of which can be seen to possess marked 

 motion. The edge is dark and is beset with short delicate fibrils. Concentric rings may 

 be present. 



Stab culture. In gelatin tubes, rapid growth and liquefaction along the entire line of 

 inoculation the so-called stocking-shaped liquefaction. In a few days the entire contents 

 are liquefied, and a thin film usually forms on the surface. 



Streak culture. On agar it forms a thick, moist, slimy, spreading growth. On Potato 

 growth occurs rapidly, even at ordinary temperature, forming a grayish-yellow, slimy, glis- 

 tening, spreading mass. Distinction from the comma bacillus which does not grow on 

 potato at the room temperature. On blood-serum, rapid development with liquefaction. 



Milk. It can grow in milk, which it coagulates; in water it soon dies out. Abundant 

 growth in bouillon. No indol unless nitrite is added. 



OXYGEN REQUIREMENTS. It is a facultative anaerobe. 



TEMPERATURE. It grows well at ordinary temperature; likewise, 

 in the incubator. 



BEHAVIOR TO GELATIN. This is liquefied rapidly and extensively. 

 AEROGENESIS. No gas observed. Disagreeable odor evolved. 



PATHOGENESIS. As a rule, it is fatal to guinea-pigs if the bouillon 

 cultures are introduced into the previously alkalinized stomach. The 

 intestines are pale and contain watery contents. Intra-peritoneal 



injections are less fatal than those of the comma bacillus. 



348 



