PATHOGENIC BACTERIA l8l 



Pailio genesis. Is not usually pathogenic for rabbits and 

 mice, though in guinea-pigs and birds it produces "gas phleg- 

 mons." It is sometimes found in autopsies on human subjects, 

 producing bubbles or cavities in the viscera (Schaumorgane) , 

 but this is probably due to postmortem migration of the germ 

 from the intestine. It has been recovered from the blood during 

 life, however, and is the most frequent cause of emphysematous 

 gangrene. Various foreign observers have described organisms 

 having similar properties, and have given them such names as 



Fig. in. Bacillus aerogenes capsulatus (from photograph by Professor Simon 



Flexner). 



Bacillus perfringens, Bacillus enteritidis, Granulobacillus 

 immobilis, etc., but they were probably dealing with the 

 Bacillus aerogenes capsulatus. 



Micrococcus Melitensis (Bruce, 1887). Malta fever, 

 also known as Mediterranean fever, occurs in the region from 

 which it derives its name, but has been observed in India, the 

 Philippine Islands, and Porto Rico. Bruce cultivated a micro- 

 coccus from the spleen and proved its specificity. 



Origin. Is found most abundantly in the spleen. 



