THE BIOLOGY OF MICROBES, ETC. 121 



are white. In test-tube cultivations, a white mass 

 is formed along the needle track. About the third 

 day of growth liquefaction sets in, and ultimately a 

 white deposit settles at the bottom of the liquefied 

 gelatine. This microbe is associated with suppura- 

 tion. It is found in pus, necrotic tissues, etc. 



From what has been already stated in this chapter 

 it will be seen that many micrococci are associated 

 with wounds, abscesses, etc. Concerning the action 

 of these microbes, Dr. W. Watson Cheyne l says : 



(1.) There are various kinds of micrococci found 

 in wounds treated aseptically, differing markedly 

 from each other in their effects on animals. They 

 agree in growing best at the temperature of the 

 body, and in causing acidity and sweaty smell in 

 the fluids in which they grow. The experiments 

 (Cheyne's) show that cultivations may be carried on 

 in fluid media with accuracy. 



(2.) The micrococci examined grew best in media 

 exposed to oxygen gas ; and they grew only with 

 difficulty in the absence of oxygen. Dr. A. Ogston 2 

 stated that these micrococci were anaerobic; but 

 there is no doubt that this statement is erroneous. 



(3.) Their effect on animals was not altered by 

 growth with or without oxygen. 



(4.) The effects of these micrococci on rabbits 

 and man were not similar, some of the most virulent 

 forms for rabbits causing no deleterious effect in 

 wounds in man. 



(5.) The kidney is apparently an important 



1 British Medical Journal, 1884. 



2 Ibid., 1881. 



