DIPHTHEROID ORGANISMS 13 



time. The species is best described perhaps as Coryneb. vaccinae (Galli- 

 Yalerio) because the name C. pyogenes had already been used by Glage (q. v.) 

 for an organism isolated from cattle. 



B. coryzae segmentosus Cautley ; B. diphtheroides citreus ; B. diphtheroides 

 brevis; B. maculatus; B. diphtheroides liquefaciens; B. auris ; B. ceruminis. 



These seven strains were described by Graham Smith. He isolated the first 

 5 from the nose and mouth, and the last 2 from the ear. B. coryzae segmentosus 

 was first cited by Cautley in a local English government report. The organism 

 is characterized as follows : Nonmotile, gram-positive, polar bodies visible, 

 white growth in gelatin. In broth, clear with sediment. Slight acid produced 

 in dextrose bouillon. Avirulent. 



The species' name is objectionable from the etiologic standpoint and violates 

 the rule for binomial nomenclature. This organism has been isolated from 

 normal nasal mucus on numerous occasions and is not necessarily associated 

 with coryza. It differs from C. striatum in its slight acid-producing power in 

 dextrose, its slow growth and small polar bodies. That this species may be 

 obtained from the eye as well as from the nose has been noted by the writer. 



In these instances it is to be differentiated from C. xerosis by the absence 

 of acidity when grown in maltose and saccharose broths. As a rule C. xerosis 

 ferments these last named sugars (Morse). It is suggested that the name 

 Coryneb. segmentosum nom. nov. be substituted for the invalid B. coryzae seg- 

 mentosus Cautley. B. diphtheroides citreus corresponds to Coryn. striatum 

 (Chester). It produces yellow pigment. The name given by Graham Smith 

 is not a binomial and disregards priority. It should lapse into synonymy with 

 Coryn. striatum (Chester) Eberson. 



B. DIPHTHEROIDES BREVIS 



From pus of oral abscess. Growth on agar, white and slimy. In gelatin, 

 white and dry, clouding in bouillon, granular sediment. Highly acid in sugar 

 broth. This species will be discussed later in connection with diphtheroids 

 isolated from the ear. This organism B. maculatus is meagerly described as an 

 acid-producer. Avirulent. It is impossible to tell wherein this organism 

 agrees with or differs from the main types which have been established in 

 recent studies and for that reason can hardly be looked on as a distinct species 

 until more complete biometrical study is made for strains from a similar 

 source. 



B. DIPHTHEROIDES LIQUEFACIENS 



On serum growth is light yellow. Very long bacillus, somewhat curved, 

 with polar bodies. Slightly motile; gram-positive; on agar, growth is thick 

 and moist with light yellow pigment. Gelatin is liquefied in 3 days. In bouillon, 

 slight clouding with granular sediment. In sugar broth reaction is weakly 

 alkaline or neutral. Avirulent. A search through the literature indicates that 

 gelatin liquefying properties have not been associated with diphtheroids, except 

 in this one instance. In 61 strains studied by the writer, but one was found 

 to liquefy gelatin. This species will be described under isolations from ascitic 

 fluids and Graham Smith's organism will be discussed and emended. 



B. AURIS 



From aural pus of scarlet fever patient. On serum is similar to that of 

 Klebs-Loeffler organism, but slower in growth. Segmented, nonmotile, gram- 

 positive, polar bodies visible. On agar, gray colonies ; on gelatin, small trans- 



