BACTERIA IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 583 



(Bacterie septique of Clado) with Bacillus coli communis was first 

 made by Krogius (1891), and about the same time by Achard and 

 Renault. 



In twelve cases of cystitis, six of which were complicated with 

 ascending nephritis, Krogius demonstrated the presence of Bacillus 

 coli communis, and showed that in its growth in culture media it 

 corresponded with the Bacillus pyogenes of previous authors. In a 

 second communication Krogius states that in twenty-two cases of 

 cystitis studied by him he obtained Bacillus coli communis sixteen 

 times, and of these fourteen times in pure culture. He also calls at- 

 tention to the fact that in those cases where no other microorganism 

 was associated with the colon bacillus the urine was always acid 

 a statement which is sustained by the subsequent researches of 

 Schmidt and Aschoff. He also gives details with reference to the 

 pleomorphism of this bacillus and differences in the appearance of 

 gelatin cultures from different sources, the growth being sometimes 

 opaque and sometimes transparent. When cultures of this bacillus 

 were injected into the bladder of rabbits and retained by ligating the 

 urethra, an intense cystitis was developed in from twenty to thirty 

 hours. Injections into the ureter gave a result similar to that subse- 

 quently reported by Schmidt and Aschoff. The animal died in about 

 two days, and pyelitis, together with more or less necrosis of the 

 renal epithelium, was found at the autopsy. Reblaub (1892) ob- 

 tained Bacillus coli communis in pure culture in six out of sixteen 

 cases of cystitis examined. 



In their latest publication Achard and Renault arrive at the con- 

 cluson that there are some differences between their " urobacillus " 

 and Bacillus coli communis, which they state as follows: 



1. Upon most media, especially upon malt agar, the growth is 

 more luxuriant. 



2. Cultures of the urobacillus upon potato appear grayish white, 

 very luxuriant, and have many gas bubbles. 



3. The urobacillus develops much gas even in gelatin and agar 

 cultures containing little sugar. 



Morelle (1892) and Denys (1892) in their bacteriological re- 

 searches obtained from numerous cases of cystitis a bacillus which 

 they identified with Bacillus lactis aerogenes of Escherich. But the 

 last-mentioned author has since stated that this bacillus presents 

 varieties which cannot be distinguished from the typical cultures of 

 Bacillus coli communis. 



The recent researches referred to having shown that Bacillus coli 

 communis is very commonly present in the urine in cases of cystitis, 

 and often in pure cultures, its etiological relation to the disease in 

 question seems probable ; and this view is further sustained by exper- 



