434 



MALIGNANT (EDEMA 



reddish discoloration afterwards becoming livid. Emphysema 

 was not recognisable until the limb was incised, when it was 

 detected, though in small degree. Further, the tissues had a 

 peculiar heavy, but not putrid, odour. The bacillus, which was 

 obtained in pure culture, was present in enormous numbers in 

 the affected tissues, attended by cellular necrosis, serous 

 exudation, and at places much leucocytic emigration. The 



\ 



FIG. 126. Film preparation from the affected tissues in a case of 

 malignant oedema in the human subject, showing the spore-bearing 

 bacilli. 



Gentian-violet, x 1000. 



picture, in short, corresponded with that seen on inoculating a 

 guinea-pig with a pure culture. The term " malignant oedema " 

 should be limited in its application to cases in which the 

 bacillus in question is present. In most of these there is a 

 mixed infection ; in some the bacillus may be present alone. 



This organism- has a very widespread distribution in nature, 

 being present in garden soil, dung, and various putrefying 

 animal fluids ; and it is by contamination of lacerated wounds 

 by such substances that the disease is usually set up in the 



