50G BACTERIOLOGY. 



large numbers, the infection in these animals takes, 

 therefore, the form of acute, general septicaemia. 



The blood-serum of both pigeons and guinea-pigs 

 that have survived inoculation with this organism i. e., 

 that have acquired immunity from it is bactericidal 

 in vitro for this organism. It also possesses a certain 

 degree of immunity-conferring property, as may be 

 demonstrated by injecting it into normal pigeons and 

 guinea-pigs that are subsequently to be inoculated with 

 virulent cultures. 



Very old cultures of this organism in bouillon be- 

 come distinctly alkaline in reaction. At this stage they 

 contain a toxin that is markedly active for susceptible 

 animals. This toxin is not dissolved in the fluid to any 

 extent, but is apparently in intimate association with the 

 proteid matters composing the bacteria. 



Gastro-enteritis may be produced in both chickens 

 and guinea-pigs by feeding them with food with which 

 cultures of this organism have been mixed. (Gamaleia.) 



MICROSPIRA SCHUYLKILLIENSIS, ABBOTT, 1896. 

 Synonym : Vibrio Schuylkilliensis, Abbott, 1896. 



Abbott reports the discovery of a microspira in the 

 water of the Schuylkill River, at Philadelphia, and later, 

 Bergey 1 reports the presence of the same organism, 

 as well as several varieties that are slightly different, 

 in the waters of the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers, 

 along the entire city front, more especially in the efflu- 

 ents of the sewers. 



Microspira Schuylkilliensis is a short, rather plump 

 " comma," often with a very decided curve, with 

 rounded or slightly pointed ends. As usually seen it 



1 Bergey: Jour, of Exper. Mod., vol. ii., 1897, p. 535. 



