676 Bacillus Faecalis 



Pathogenesis. The bacillus is pathogenic for mice, 

 guinea-pigs, pigeons, lambs, and kids, but not for dogs, 

 cats, rats, or sparrows. The infection may be fatal for 

 mice and guinea-pigs, whether given subcutaneously, intra- 

 peritoneally, or by the mouth. 



Lesions. The bacilli are found scattered throughout the 

 organs in small groups, resembling those of the typhoid 

 bacillus. 



At the autopsy a marked enteritis and swelling of the 

 lymphatic follicles and patches, with occasional hemor- 

 rhages, are found. The bacilli occur in the intestinal con- 

 tents. The spleen is somewhat enlarged. 



The bacillus is differentiated from the colon bacillus 

 chiefly by the absence of indol-production, by its ability to 

 produce infection when ingested, and by the fact that it 

 elaborates a toxic substance capable of producing symp- 

 toms similar to those seen in the infection. 



It may be distinguished from Bacillus lactis aerogenes 

 by its motility. It closely resembles certain water bacteria; 

 but its pathogenesis can be made use of for assisting in its 

 differentiation in doubtful cases. 



BACILLUS F^CALIS ALKALIGENES (PETRUSCHKY). 



General Characteristics. A motile, flagellated, non-sporogenous, 

 non-liquefying, non-chromogenic, non-aerogenic, aerobic and option- 

 ally anaerobic, non-pathogenic bacillus of the intestine, staining by 

 ordinary methods, but not by Gram's method. 



This bacillus has occasionally been isolated by Petruschky * 

 and others from feces. It closely resembles the typhoid 

 bacillus, being short, stout, with round ends, forming no 

 spores, staining with the usual dyes, but not by Gram's 

 method, being actively motile, and having numerous flagella. 

 It does not liquefy gelatin, does not coagulate milk, produce 

 gas, or form indol. Its pathogenic powers for the lower ani- 

 mals are similar to those of the typhoid bacillus. 



It grows more luxuriantly than the typhoid bacillus upon 

 potato, producing a brown color, and generates a strong 

 alkali when grown in litmus- whey. Its cultures are not 

 agglutinated by the typhoid serums. 



*"Centralbl. f. Bakt. u. Parasitenk.," xix, 187. 



