PSEUDO-TUBERCULOSIS. 277 



This occurred in a man dying of beri-beri, in whose omen- 

 turn were found fibrous tubercles caused by the ova of dis- 

 toma. 



Bacterial pseudo-tuberculosis has been often described in 

 animals. First designated zooglear tuberculosis by Malas- 

 sez and Vignal, this disorder has since been studied by 

 numerous observers, and most carefully by Preisz. The 

 cause of this affection consists in thick, short rods, fre- 

 quently resembling cocci, and forming filaments. Spores 

 do not develop, and Gram's method fails to stain. Upon 

 gelatin-plates colonies form resembling those of the 

 typhoid-bacillus, but not causing liquefaction. Upon gela- 



Fig. 60. Bacillus pseudo-tuberculosis from agar-agar; X 1000 (Itzerott and 

 Niemann). 



Niemann). 



tin stab-cultures a flat, nail-like growth takes place ; upon 

 agar a grayish, fetid coating forms, and upon potatoes a 

 yellowish deposit. In bouillon there is at first flocculent 

 turbidity, then the formation of a precipitate and a clear- 

 ing up of the supernatant fluid. The bacillus pseudo- 

 tuberculosis is pathogenic for all rodents ; in slighter degree, 

 also, for dogs and horses. The postmortem findings are 

 strongly suggestive of true tuberculosis, particularly in the 

 abdominal organs, which are especially attacked by pseudo- 

 tuberculosis. The differential diagnosis is made with great 

 ease The readiness with which the bacilli stain and their 

 rapidity of growth permit of a decision without difficulty. 



