PATHOGENIC BACTERIA. 2/3 



have not proved very markedly successful. Unfortunately 

 the disease is seldom suspected until a relatively large 

 amount of toxin has formed and begun to manifest its action 

 in the patient's body. 1 



Bacillus anthracis. This is the largest of the patho- 

 genic bacteria with the exception of the spirillum of relaps- 

 ing fever, which is longer but more slender. The bacillus 

 of anthrax is 1.25 // broad, and from 3 to 10 n long. Ba- 



FIG. 70. 



V 



Anthrax bacilli, from a pure culture. 2 (X 1000.) 



cillus aerogenes capsulatus is of about the same size. It 

 often forms long threads. A capsule is sometimes present. 

 It is not motile. It forms spores, which are placed in the 

 centers of the bacilli. The spores form only in the pres- 

 ence of oxygen; they do not appear in the body of an in- 

 fected animal during life. Anthrax spores are the most 



1 See also Moschkowitz, Studies Department Pathology, College Physi- 

 cians and Surgeons, New York, Vol. VII., 1899-1900. Annals of 

 Surgery, 1900, p. 442. 



2 The culture was derived from a case of malignant pustule in a 

 tanner. The lesion was excised promptly, and the patient recovered. 



