138 



ESSENTIALS OF BACTERIOLOGY 



diarrhea and coma; after death tumefactions of Peyer's patches 

 and other parts of the intestine; perforations into peritoneal 

 cavity, the blood containing a large number of bacilli. 



With the blood of immunized animals a serum reaction 

 similar to that of typhoid fever may be obtained with cultures 

 of colon bacilli. The colon bacillus is held responsible for most 

 of the complications of typhoid fever, such as peritonitis, 

 cholangitis, etc., by many writers. 



Fig. 70. Bacillus coli communis, from an agar-agar culture (x 1000) 

 (Itzerott and Niemann). 



Epidemics of a cholera or dysentery nature, called by Esche- 

 rich colitis contagiosa, and due to infection of water and food, 

 have been noted by a number of writers. The onset is very 

 sudden and prostrating, though not fatal. 



Many other forms of suppuration are associated with the 

 presence of Bacillus coli. 



Staining. Ordinary stains; does not take Gram. 



Site. The bacillus has been found very constant in acute 

 peritonitis and in cholera nostras. Its presence in water would 

 indicate fecal contamination, as it is normally present in the 

 intestine. 



