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ESSENTIALS OF BACTERIOLOGY 



cough the bacillus is found in large numbers. The recent 

 work of Mallory, Henderson, and Horner (Jour. Med. Re- 

 search, March, 1913) seems to establish this organism as the 

 real cause of pertussis. 



Bacterins made from the culture have been recommended 

 to allay the spasmodic cough. 



Bacillus Melitensis (Bruce, 1887). Synonym. Micro- 

 coccus Melitensis. Malta fever, also known as Mediterra- 

 nean fever, occurs in the region from which it derives its 





Fig. 75. The Bordet-Gengou bacillus of whooping-cough. Twenty-four- 

 hour-old culture upon solid media containing blood (Bordet-Gengou). 



name, but has been observed in India, the Philippine Islands, 

 and Porto Rico. Bruce cultivated an organism from the 

 spleen and proved its specificity. 



Origin. Is found most abundantly in the spleen. 



Form. Rounded or oval, very small, coccus-like bacilli, 

 0.5 [i in diameter, singly, in pairs, or short chains. 



Properties. Non-motile, though flagella said to be present; 

 grows slowly, best at body-temperature. 



Gelatin. Not liquefied; growth very slow. 



