SPUTUM SEPTIC^MIA. 195 



Inspection reveals nothing abnormal at the seat of 

 inoculation, except when death is postponed for a longer 

 time, when some oedema may be present. At autopsy 

 the most conspicuous naked-eye change will be en- 

 largement of the spleen. Frequently there is a limited 

 fibrinous exudation over portions of the peritoneum. 



Except in the exudations, the organisms are found 

 only in the lumen of the bloodvessels, where they are 

 usually present in enormous numbers. 



In the blood they are always free and are not found 

 in the body of leucocytes. 



In stained preparations from the blood and exudates 

 a capsule is not unfrequently seen surrounding the organ- 

 isms. This, however, is not constant. 



If a drop of blood from this animal be introduced 

 into the tissues of a second animal (mouse, rabbit, or 

 guinea-pig), identically the same conditions will be. re- 

 produced. 



If the organism be isolated from the blood of the 

 animal in pure culture, and a portion of this culture be 

 introduced into the tissues of a susceptible animal, again 

 we shall see the same pathological picture. 



It must be remembered, however, that this organism 

 when cultivated for a time on artificial media rapidly 

 loses its virulent properties. If, therefore, failure to re- 

 produce the disease after inoculation from old cultures 

 should occur, it is, in all probability, due to a disappear- 

 ance of virulence from the organism. 



This organism was discovered by Stern berg in 1880. 

 It was subsequently described by A. Frankel as the 

 etiological factor in the production of acute fibrinous 

 pneumonia. 



It is not uncommonly present in the saliva of healthy 



