MALIGNANT (EDEMA 



389 



fully studied by Koch, who called it the bacillus of malignant 

 oedema, and pointed out that the disease produced by it is not 

 really of the nature of a septicaemia, as immediately after death 

 the blood is practically free from the bacilli. 



"Malignant oedema" in the human subject is usually 

 described as a spreading inflammatory oedema attended with 

 emphysema, and ultimately followed by gangrene of the skin 



FIG. 129. Film preparation from the affected tissues in a case of malignant 



oedema in the human subject, showing the spore-bearing bacilli. 



Gentian- violet, x 1000. 



and subjacent parts. In many cases of this nature the bacillus 

 of malignant oedema is present, associated with other organisms 

 which aid its spread, whilst in others it may be absent. One of 

 us has, however, observed a case in which the bacillus was 

 present in pure condition. Here there occurred intense oadema 

 with swelling and induration of the tissues, and the formation 

 of vesicles on the skin. Those changes were attended with a 

 reddish discoloration, afterwards becoming livid. Emphysema 

 was not recognisable until the limb was incised, when it was 

 detected, though in small degree. Further, the tissues had a 



