fix.] Decomposition of proteid. 105 



products, carbonic acid, water, and ammonia. If allowed to 

 operate on one of the series of decomposition-products already 

 prepared, tyrosin for example, it carries on the decomposition 

 in the order of succession of the regular products of putrefaction. 

 None of the other Bacteria examined by Bienstock produced these 

 effects. Neither casein nor artificially prepared alkaline albumi- 

 nates were rendered putrid by Bienstock's Bacillus; casein is 

 even said to remain entirely unaltered ; in accordance with this 

 the Bacillus itself and the specific decomposition with the 

 characteristic faecal smell are wanting in the intestine of 

 sucking children. 



As regards the morphological characters of this Bacillus of 

 the decomposition of proteid, it appears from the descriptions of 

 Bienstock that it is endosporous, and resembles B. Amylo- 

 bacter in shape at least at the time of formation of spores, and 

 like it forms the motile rods with capitate end (see page 1 7) 

 which Bienstock compares with drumsticks. It is, however, 

 smaller than B. Amylobacter, and even than B. subtilis. It is 

 scarcely possible to form a clear idea of the course of develop- 

 ment of this form from the investigations and descriptions which 

 we possess, and we must wait for further enquiry into this point. 



We must also wait to see whether the monopoly of putre- 

 faction claimed for the drumstick Bacillus will be confirmed. 

 This, with all due acknowledgment of the results as reported, is 

 scarcely probable when we call to mind our experience of other 

 processes of decomposition. I will not bring forward other 

 accounts which have been given as arguments against the ex- 

 clusive character of Bienstock's Bacillus, because precise dis- 

 criminations of form are too recent to set aside the objection, 

 that this Bacillus may be present though unrecognised where 

 some other form is said to have been found, and may be the 

 really active agent. 



But it is necessary, at least, to refer in this place to these 

 other statements, inasmuch as the view pretty generally enter- 

 tained is that Bacterium Termo is the usual exciting cause of 



