SYPHILIS. 183 



and others. And further, there are minor points of differ- 

 ence between this smegma bacillus and Lustgarten's bacillus. 

 It has also been suggested by some that the organisms 

 described by Lustgarten are merely tubercle bacilli which 

 have been accidentally present in the affected tissues. 

 Those, however, who have found the former organism in 

 the tissues agree that it can be readily distinguished from 

 tubercle bacillus, as it does not resist decolorising with 

 strong acids. This explanation of the presence of these 

 bacilli in the tissues is really without definite support. 



The organism has not been cultivated outside the body, 

 though, in view of what we know with regard to some other 

 diseases, this fact in itself does not form a grave objection. 

 In the absence, however, of definite evidence as to its invari- 

 able presence in the lesions, its relations to the disease are 

 still highly problematical. It may also be noticed that this 

 organism has been found in the tertiary lesions, which are 

 usually believed to be non-infectious. 



