6 TRANSFORMATION OF THE INTESTINAL FLORA 



ingestion, and was led to conclude that the lactic acid bacilli themselves 

 were responsible for their implantation, without due regard to the milk 

 as a factor. 



Belonowski (1907b) concluded from the results of his own experi- 

 ments with mice that B. bulgaricus becomes established in the intestine 

 about the tenth day after ingestion and persists for some time ; second, 

 that the putrefactive types of the flora are greatly reduced ; and, finally, 

 that B. bulgaricus owes its anti-putrescent power, not to the lactic acid 

 alone, but also to certain other inhibitory products formed by the 

 bacilli. Leva (1908) investigated the effect of B. bulgaricus when fed 

 in the form of "lactobacilline" on the excretion of putrefactive prod- 

 ucts, and reported a decrease in the amount of phenol, volatile fatty 

 acids and aromatic oxyacids excreted. He believed that B. bulgaricus 

 becomes acclimated in the intestine. Pochon (1907) drank milk soured 

 by lactic acid bacilli and after several weeks observed a marked reduc- 

 tion in the amounts of indol and phenol in the urine. 



Harrington (1912) and Bogert (1918) reported favorable results 

 obtained from the administration of living cultures of B. bulgaricus. 

 Moro (1906) found it necessary to use large quantities of bouillon cul- 

 tures of lactic acid bacilli when fed per os, and showed that better re- 

 sults could be obtained when the bacteria are introduced per rectum. 

 Dunn (1907) used buttermilk containing large numbers of living lactic 

 acid organisms in the treatment of various intestinal disturbances in 

 infants, with apparently excellent results. Piffard (1908) directed 

 many of his patients to employ sour milk for both dietetic and directly 

 remedial purposes. He admits, however, that such use of sour milk has 

 been largely empirical. North (1909) reported encouraging results in 

 the treatment of disorders of the nose and throat with B. bulgaricus. 

 Brady (1910) used sour milk with apparently good success. La Fetra 

 (1909), while disappointed in the use of acidified milk, felt that there 

 was a distinct field for the employment of buttermilk, which had given 

 him very encouraging results in cases of intestinal disturbance. Pans- 

 ier (1917) claims to have obtained good results from the treatment of 

 wounds with living cultures of the bulgarian bacillus. Liefmann (1909) 

 suggested sour milk as a means of eliminating typhoid bacilli from car- 

 riers. Mayer (1910) held that the continued use of sweet milk by 

 typhoid carriers reduces the number of typhoid organisms. 



Wegele (1908) reported favorably on the use of milk soured with 

 B. bulgaricus. He believed that the production of lactic acid in "statu 

 nascendi" in the digestive tube is of greater importance than the mere 

 presence of the acid already formed in the milk. Wejnert (1908) 

 demonstrated that the administration of milk soured with B. bulgaricus 

 reduces the number of bacteria in the feces. Litchfield (1914) fed fer- 

 mented milk reinforced with lactose to his typhoid patients, with excel- 

 lent results. Tollens (1908) reported favorably on the employment of 

 kefir in intestinal disturbances, while Klotz (1908) used yoghurt to 



