SOFT SORE 



227 



SOFT SORE. 



The bacillus of soft sore was first described by Ducrey 

 in 1889, who found it in the purulent discharge from the 

 ulcerated surface; and later, in 1892, Unna described its 

 appearance and distribution as seen in sections through the 

 sores. The statements of these observers regarding the presence 

 and characters of this organism have been fully confirmed by 

 other observers. 



Microscopical Characters. The organism occurs in the form 

 of minute oval rods measuring about 1 '5 /x in length, and '5 //, 

 in thickness (Fig. 76). It is found mixed with other organisms 

 in the purulent discharge 

 from the surface, and is 

 chiefly arranged in small 

 groups or in short chains. 

 When studied in sections 

 through the ulcer it is 

 found in the superficial 

 part of the floor, but more 

 deeply situated than other 

 organisms, and may be 

 present in a state of pur- 

 ity amongst the leucocytic 

 infiltration. In this posi- 

 tion it is usually arranged 

 in chains which may be 

 of considerable length, 



and which are often seen FIG. 76. Film preparation of pus from soft 

 lying; in parallel rows be- chancre, showing Ducrey's bacillus, chiefly 

 ,, mi arranged in pairs ; stained with carbol- 



tween the cells. Ine fuchsin and slightly decolorised, x 1500. 

 bacilli chiefly occur in 



the free condition, but occasionally a few may be contained 

 within leucocytes. 



There is no doubt that in many cases the organism is 

 present in the buboes in a state of purity ; it has been found 

 there by microscopic examination, and cultures have also been 

 obtained from this source. The negative results of some 

 observers are probably due to the organism having died off. 

 On the whole the evidence goes to show that the ordinary 

 bubo associated with soft sore is to be regarded as another lesion 

 produced by Ducrey's bacillus. Sometimes the ordinary pyogenic 

 organisms become superadded. 



This bacillus takes up the basic aniline stains fairly readily, 



