DIPHTHEROID ORGANISMS 23 



be isolated, it seems highly probable that we have to deal with saprophytes 

 which abound everywhere like numerous species of the Coccaceae group and 

 which gain entrance into the body through the various openings, both normal 

 as well as pathologic. 



In the course of this study 4 strains were isolated from an anal pus pocket 

 and from the skin on the neck. Two of these strains which will be described 

 below are in accord with those mentioned by Hine ; the other 2 differ sufficiently 

 from these in fermentative and other cultural characters to warrant their 

 acceptance as other species. 



(1) Skin Diphtheroid : On Loeffler's serum, abundant dull white growth is 

 produced. On agar delicate growth takes place. Gelatin is not liquefied. At 

 room temperature little growth is observed after 1 week. The organism is 

 gram-positive, nonspore forming, nonmotile, facultatively aerobic, small, ovoid 

 and stains readily. Slight acid is produced in dextrose and maltose, the latter 

 being more strongly acidified. It is avirulent. The name C. epidermidis sp. nov. 

 is suggested for this species. 



(2) Anal Pus Pocket: On Loeffler's serum abundant, moist and glistening 

 growth occurs. On agar, heavy glistening growth takes place in broth, uniform 

 clouding. Ferments dextrose and maltose vigorously and usually saccharose. 

 It is gram-positive, facultative, nonmotile, does not liquefy gelatin, does not 

 form spores, and grows abundantly at room temperature. It is avirulent. To 

 this species the name C. suppuratum sp. nov. is given. Similar strains have 

 been observed by Trumpp in empyema and by Hine in a suppurating neck gland. 

 The organism in no way appears to be associated with suppuration except as a 

 secondary invader. 



DIPHTHEROIDS FROM BRAIN 



One strain was isolated from the brain in a case of meningitis. The organ- 

 ism is gram-positive, ovoid, or coccoid in appearance, nonmotile, nonspore 

 forming. It grows very rapidly at room temperature and at 37 C. on ordinary 

 agar. On Loeffler's serum, growth is white and moist. It is avirulent for 

 guinea-pigs and for rabbits injected intraperitoneally and subdurally. Vigorous 

 acid production takes place in dextrose, lactose and maltose. Growth in broth 

 is abundant. Gelatin is not liquefied. Ortmann has reported a diphtheroid 

 isolated from the brain in a case of meningitis but has given no description of 

 the organism. It is purely a secondary invader. The name C. cerebralis sp. nov. 

 is suggested for the species. 



DIPHTHEROIDS FROM THE APPENDIX 



One strain was obtained from this source. There was slight suppuration of 

 the appendix. The organism grows moderately on Loeffler's serum. On agar 

 moderate growth occurs. Few clubbed and barred types were observed in 

 the first generation and in the next few transplants. Neisser's granules are 

 present. The organism is fairly large, nonmotile, gram-positive, does not pro- 

 duce spores and does not liquefy gelatin. At room temperature slight growth 

 occurs. In dextrose, lactose, saccharose, maltose and dextrin slight acid is 

 formed. Heavy flaking with sediment, but no clouding, occurs in the broths 

 mentioned. 



Hine has obtained a diphtheroid from an appendix but has not described the 

 organism. It is a saprophyte and a secondary invader. The name C. flocculens 

 sp. nov. is suggested for this species. 



