THE MICRO-ORGANISM OF SYPHILIS AND ALLIED ORGANISMS 2l7 



Yaws. Spirochetes similar and possibly identical with 

 those of syphilis have been found in this tropical disease. 



Spirillum of Relapsing Fever (Obermeier, 1873). 

 Synonym. Spirochceta Obermeieri. 



The definite classification of this organism has not been 

 made. Some regard it now as a protozoon, and one of a 

 group in which numerous other spirilla belong. 



Origin. Found in the blood of recurrent fever patients, 

 described in 1873. 



Form. Long, wavy threads (16 to 40 ju long), a true spiril- 

 lum; flagella are present (Fig. 107). 



Fig. 107. Spirochaeta Obermeieri from human blood (Kolle and Wasser- 



mann). 



Properties. Very motile. Has not been cultivated. 



Staining. Ordinary anilin stains. Bismarck-brown best 

 for tissue sections. 



Patho genesis. Found in the organs and blood of recurrent 

 fever. Man and monkeys inoculated with blood from one 

 suffering from this disease become attacked with the fever, 

 and in their blood the spirillum is again found. It is found in 

 the blood only in the relapses (during the fever). After the 

 attack the spirilla gather in the spleen and gradually die 



