THE STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES. 257 



with the streptococcus just mentioned. Inoculate rab- 

 bits both subcutaneously and into the circulation with 

 about 0.2 c.c. of pure cultures of these organisms in 

 bouillon. Do the results correspond, and do they in 

 any way suggest the results obtained with the staphylo- 

 coccus pyogenes aureus when introduced into animals in 

 the same way ? Do these streptococci flourish readily 

 on ordinary media ? 



The organisms that have just been described are 

 commonly known as the '' pyogenic cocci " of Ogston, 

 E,osenbach, and Passet, and up to as late as 1885 were 

 believed to be the specific factors concerned in the pro- 

 duction of suppurative inflammations. Since that time, 

 however, considerable modification of this view has 

 taken place, and while they are still known to be the 

 most common causes of suppuration, they are aLso 

 known not to be the only causes of this process. 



With the more general application of bacteriological 

 methods to the study of the manifold conditions coming 

 under the eye of the physician, the surgeon, and the 

 pathologist, observations are constantly being made 

 that do not iaccord with the view formerly held with 

 regard to the specific relation of the pyogenic cocci to 

 all forms of suppuration. There is an abundance of 

 evidence now at command to justify the opinion that 

 there are a number of organisms not commonly classed 

 as pyogenic which may, under peculiar circumstances, 

 assume this property. For example : 



The bacillus of typhoid fever has been found in pure 

 culture in osteomyelitis of the ribs ; in acute purulent 

 otitis media; in abscess of the soft parts; in the pus 

 of empyema, and in localized fibro-peritonitis, either 

 during its course or as a sequela of typhoid fever. 



