156 MANUAL OF BACTERIOLOGY. 



in that of many animals, especially in the lower part. 1 The 

 pyogenic micrococci very often occur in the intestine. 



In the case of ruminant animals like the cow and sheep, 

 the decomposition of cellulose, which forms so large a part 

 of their food, appears to be effected by bacteria. Bacteria 

 having this power are constantly found in the stomachs of 

 ruminants. The best known species is that called bacillus 

 amylobacter. It is questionable whether the products of 

 the decomposition of cellulose have any nutritive value. 



Pasteur some years ago expressed the opinion that if animals could 

 be placed in such surroundings that bacteria could be excluded from the 

 alimentary canal and the food, life would be impossible. This view 

 has excited much controversy, and was apparently disproved by the 

 experiments of Nuttall and Thierfelder. These investigators succeeded 

 in removing guinea-pigs from the mother by Caesarean section, and in 

 keeping them alive in sterile surroundings, upon sterile food, so that the 

 contents of the alimentary canal remained sterile. Schottelius, who 

 worked with chickens, obtained contrary results, however, so that this 

 interesting question is still undecided. 



1 Moore and Wright, " Bacillus coli communis from Certain Species 

 of Domesticated Animals," American Medicine, March, 1902. 



