224: INFECTIVE DISEASES. 



RAG-PICKERS' SEPTICAEMIA. 



Rag-pickers' disease has a resemblance to anthrax or wool-sorters' 

 disease. After death the spleen is found to be enlarged, the in- 

 ternal organs are congested, and there are haemorrhages on the 

 serous membranes. Bordoiii -Uffreduzzi isolated bacilli which are 

 quite easily distinguished from anthrax bacilli. They were found 

 in the blood and in sections of the internal organs. 



Proteus hominis capsulatus. Rods with rounded ends, singly, 

 in pairs, and in filaments, somewhat smaller than anthrax bacilli, 

 and often irregular in form. Spore -formation not described ; they 

 have a well- marked capsule. Colonies are circular, appearing at 

 first granular, and later possessing a filamentous structure. In 

 the depth of gelatine they grow in the shape of a round-headed 

 nail, like a culture of Friedlander's pneumococcus. On the surface of 

 gelatine they form a shining white layer. On agar the growth is 

 somewhat transparent. On potato a moist, glistening film gradually 

 spreads over the surface. They do not liquefy blood serum, and 

 the growth is similar to that obtained on agar. They prove fatal 

 to mice and dogs, but rabbits and guinea-pigs are not very sus- 

 ceptible. Dogs die usually on the second day after intravenous 

 injection, and after death there is congestion of the internal organs 

 and of the intestinal mucous membrane. (Edema is produced at 

 the seat of inoculation in mice. There are haemorrhages in the 

 lymphatic glands, and congestion of the liver and kidneys. Similar 

 organisms have been described by Kolb and by Babes in purpura 

 hsemorrhagica. 



SEPTICAEMIA OF GUINEA-PIGS. 



Guinea-pigs and mice sometimes die of septicaemia, characterised 

 by congestion of the lungs, liver, and kidneys, inflamed peritoneum, 

 pleural and pericardial exudation, congested spleen, and congestion 

 of the mucous and serous coats of the intestine. Klein isolated 

 a bacillus from the blood and the internal organs in these cases. 



Bacillus of Septicaemia in Guinea-pigs. Rods with rounded 

 ends, motile, with pleomorphic forms, cocci, short rods and filaments. 

 Colonies appear as small, circular, white dots, which enlarge and 

 become irregular in outline. In the depth of gelatine a white 

 filament develops, and on the surface the growth rapidly spreads 

 with a crenated outline. Broth becomes turbid, and after the second 

 day a copious white sediment is deposited. Spore -formation not 

 observed. 



