362 CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY. 



teria. Kruse (Fliigge's Microorganisms) includes it among 

 the streptoth rices. These represent, to a certain degree, a 

 connecting link between molds and bacteria. They consist 

 of long, cylindric filaments, dividing by budding, and 

 eventually developing a true mycelium. Individual species 

 produce fruit-bearers, which, after the fashion of oidia (see 

 p. 338), constrict off spores directly, without especial fruit- 

 heads. These spores must, however, not be placed upon 

 the same plane as the similarly designated permanent forms 

 of the bacteria, as they succumb to exposure for five min- 

 utes to a temperature of 70 C. (158 F.), as has been 

 mentioned in connection with the aerobic actinomyces. In 

 old cultures the branching filaments break up into bodies 

 resembling bacteria, bacilli, cocci, and even spirilla. If, 

 however, these disintegrated products are transferred to new 

 culture-media, true filamentous networks will again develop 

 from them. According to our own investigations, we have 

 likewise reached the conclusion that the entire group of 

 actinomyces is to be included among the hyphomycetes. 



The bacteriologic diagnosis of actinomycosis requires 

 only microscopic demonstration of the actinomyces-druses 

 in the pus. Culture is not necessary to establish the 

 diagnosis. 



Treatment. According to recent statements, actinomy- 

 cosis is specifically influenced by potassium iodid. It is 

 said that recovery from the disease will take place without 

 any surgical intervention upon administration of moderate 

 doses of this drug from two to three grams daily. 



PATHOGENIC STREPTOTHRICES. 



In connection with the actinomyces, brief mention will be 

 made of the streptothrix Eppinger and the streptothrix farcinica. 

 The former was found by Eppinger in an abscess of the brain. 

 The fungus presented a branch mycelium. Air-hyphse and 

 spores are, however, found only upon potatoes. The fungus 

 can be stained by Gram's method. It grows best at a tem- 

 perature of 37 C. (98.6 F. ) in the absence of air. Upon 

 gelatin elevated, wart-like yellow colonies form, which do not 

 liquefy the culture-medium. Upon glucose-agar a wrinkled, 

 orange-colored deposit forms, and upon potatoes a thin, yellowish- 

 red deposit. Bouillon remains clear, although flocculent islands 

 develop. A variety of pseudo-tuberculosis develops in guinea- 

 pigs and rabbits inoculated with the streptothrix Eppinger. 



