224 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [June 



respect, Metchnikoff obtained from some preserved 

 choleric dejecta, colonies identical with those of the cholera 

 vibrio, but differing- in that they grow only at temperatures 

 beneath 30 degrees C, give no indol reaction, and are not 

 pathogenic to animals. 



These organisms were sown in gelatin plates but re- 

 fused to grow. The plates were then exposed to the air, 

 and a number of other organisms fell on them. Most of 

 these had no effect upon the cholera vibrios, but some 

 sarcina?, and especially some yeasts, influenced their 

 growth very markedly, so that if Metchnikofi^ wished to 

 revive a vibrio that would not g"row, he inoculated along 

 with it certain other micro-organisms, and obtained the 

 desired result. A sarcina, atorula, and a non-liquefying 

 bacillus were isolated, all of which favor the growth of 

 the vibrio, while there are others which certainly hinder 

 its development. 



One ma}^ conclude, therefore, that the cholera bacillus 

 is considerably modified by the micro-organisms which 

 surround it, and that immunity or susceptibility, in the 

 case of cholera, depends largely upon the other microbes 

 in the intestinal canal. — Pacific Record. 



Small-Pox in New Orleans. — The Medical and Surgical 

 Journal of New Orleans says that small-pox has been pre. 

 valent in that city for the past two years, new cases occur- 

 ing through the coming to the city of unprotected blacks 

 from the country parishes. The board of health is hamp- 

 ered in its efforts to stamp out the disease by a lack of 

 funds, and the journal calls upon theprofessionof the State 

 to advocate general vaccination of unprotected persons, so 

 that the supply, which now keeps up the disease in New 

 Orleans may be cut off. 



Diphtheria was the cause of over fourteen thousond 

 deaths in Vienna during twenty five years from 1870 to 

 1894 inclusive. 



Black Plague is said to have appeared in Yokohama. 

 Three cases are reported by cable, in two of which the 

 patients have died. They were both Chinamen. 



