PROTOZOAN-LIKE BODIES IN SCARLET FEVER 527 



present. When the stable and animals have been kept clean the bacteria 

 comprise usually very few varieties; when dirty conditions prevail the 

 bacterial varieties are more numerous. The number of bacteria found 

 varies enormously. The largest number found by us in vaccine pulp 

 from the calf was 126,360 in one loopful, and the smallest number 523. 

 Discrete vesicles at the borders contain many less bacteria than the con- 

 Huent ones caused by the inoculation at the scarification. The pulp 

 has many more bacteria than the serum of the vesicles. The period 

 which elapses before glycerinated virus becomes sterile is also quite 

 variable, but does not depend in any direct way upon the number of bac- 

 teria originally present. A very large number may disappear rapidly, 

 and a few persist for a long time. Upon rabbits a practically bacteria- 

 free vaccine can be. obtained. 



After two or three weeks the number of living bacteria is usually 

 greatly diminished, especially after addition of glycerin, but seldom 

 is absolutely nil. If we wait until the vaccine is surely sterile it is 

 very apt to be also useless that is, by that time the specific organisms, 

 too, as well as the bacteria, are dead. 



In a very large experience we have learned that the number of bac- 

 teria present has little to do with the result of the vaccination. 



Pathogenic bacteria other than the practically non-virulent skin 

 staphylococci are not found when animals are properly kept and vac- 

 cinated. The vaccine pulp and serum mixture is added to two and 

 one-half to three and one-half times its bulk of a mixture consisting of 

 two parts of chemically pure glycerin and one part of water. 



Efficient vaccine should be inoculated in a portion of skin no more 

 than one-eighth inch in diameter. 



Scarlet Fever. 



Very recently Mallory has reported the presence of certain bodies 

 in scarlet fever. He summarized his observations as follows: "In 4 

 cases of scarlet fever certain bodies were found which in their mor- 

 phology strongly suggest that they may be various stages in the devel- 

 opmental cycle of a protozoan. They occur in and between the epithe- 

 lial cells of the epidermis and free in the superficial lymph vessels 

 and spaces of the corium. The great majority of the bodies vary from 

 2/Jt to 7/i in diameter, and stain delicately but sharply with methylene 

 blue. They form a series of bodies, including the formation of definite 



I)K>< KIPTION OF PLATE IV. 



Photographs of three forms of the small bodies found in blister fluid from cases of measles. 

 I. Small form with central chromatin mass. 



II. Medium-sized form with chromatin granules distributed throughout its protoplasm. 

 III. Large form with most of the chromatin granules peripherally arranged. 

 Protozoan-like bodies in scarlet fever. Stained with eosin and methylene blue. 1, numerous large 

 and small scarlet fever bodies (stained light blue) in and between the epithelial cells of the rete 

 mucosum. Several of the bodies suggest fixation while in amoeboid motion ; 2, coarsely reticulated 

 form which may be degenerated form or stage in sporogony ; 3, probable stage preceding the radiate 

 bodies ; 4, 5, 6, and 7, different stages in the development of the radiate bodies. (After Mallory.) 



