144 ATLAS OF BACTERIOLOGY. 



8. Putrefaction (Appendix to 1-7). 



Putrefaction, in the language of the laity, means 

 every decomposition which is produced by bacteria 

 and is attended by the formation of foul-smelling 

 substances. 



On scientific investigation it is found that the al- 

 buminoids and their allies are the substratum of pu- 

 trefaction; at first they are often peptonized, then 

 they are split up still further. 



Typical putrefaction occurs only when the supply 

 of oxygen is wanting or scanty. The vigorous pas- 

 sage of air through a putrefaction bacteria culture a 

 process which does not occur in natural putrefaction 

 modifies the process in the most marked manner. 

 In the first place because the anaerobic putrefac- 

 tion bacteria are killed or their growth is inhibited, 

 and secondly by the action of the oxygen upon the 

 products or intermediate products of the aerobic and 

 facultative anaerobic bacteria. Finally, it seems 

 conceivable that the same bacteria (anaerobic and 

 aerobic) may from the start furnish different products 

 of putrefaction. 



Among the putrefaction products we find the bod- 

 ies * described in preceding chapters : peptone, am- 

 monia and amins, leucin, tyrosin and other amido 

 bodies, oxyfatty acids, indol, skatol, phenol, finally 



*It is often said that in every putrefaction the albuminoid 

 bodies are first peptonized, but inasmuch as bacterium vulgare ft 

 Zenkeri, and bacterium putidum are generally recognized as pro- 

 ducers of putrefaction, and as they do not even liquefy gela- 

 tin, we cannot always speak of peptonization of albumin as 

 constant in putrefaction. 



