The Higher Bacteria 



THE HIGHER BACTERIA. 



The Higher Bacteria form a group intermediate between 

 the Schizomycetes, or true bacteria, and the Hyphomycetes, 

 or molds. In the classification of Migula and Chester 

 they include the Mycobacteriaceae and the Chlamydobac- 

 teriaceae. Some, like Petruschky, believe them to be more 

 closely related to the true molds than to the bacteria. 

 They are characterized by filamentous forms with real or 

 apparent branchings. The filaments are usually regularly 

 divided transversely, so as to appear as if composed of bacilli. 



Fig. 5. Cladothrix, showing false branching. (From Hiss and Zinsser, 

 " Text-Book of Bacteriology," D. Appleton & Co., publishers.) 



The free ends only seem to be endowed with reproductive 

 functions, and develop peculiar elements that differentiate 

 the higher from the other bacteria whose cells are all equally 

 free and independent. 



Leptothrix. These comprise long threads which do not 

 branch. They are not always easily separated from chains 

 of bacilli. They rarely appear to play a pathogenic role, 

 though those inhabiting the mouth occasionally secure a 

 foothold upon the edges of the tonsillar crypts, where they 

 grow, with the formation of persistent white patches. This 

 form of leptothrix mycosis is chronic and difficult to treat. 



