Pathogenesis 483 



Neither the bacilli nor the spirals show any progressive 

 movement, though with the dark-field illuminator they show 

 a slight vibratile and rotary movement. No flagella were 

 observed. 



Pathogenesis. Pure cultures of the organisms were in- 

 oculated into guinea-pigs without result. As in Vincent's 

 angina the throat always contains staphylococci and strep- 

 tococci, and not infrequently diphtheria bacilli, it is thought 

 by many that Bacillus fusiformis does not initiate the morbid 

 process, but is a secondary invader, by which simpler inflam- 

 mations are intensified and made necrotic. 



This seems to be particularly true of diphtheria, and may 

 account for the occurrence of noma, in which gangrenous 

 condition of the mouth and genitals the organisms have been 

 found in great numbers. 



