BACILLUS OF MALIGNANT (EDEMA 193 



threads. It is actively motile, and is possessed of numerous peri- 

 trichous flagella. Spores are found which may be either equatori- 

 ally or polarly situated. This organism is readily stained by the 

 ordinary methods, but not by Gram's. 



Chemical Activities. Milk is coagulated, digested, and the 

 reaction is amphoteric. Abundant alkali is formed at times; 

 albumin is decomposed, forming fatty acids, leucin, an oil, and an 

 offensive odor. CO2N. and marsh gas, are also formed. 



Habitat. It is found in soil, dust, manure and dirty water and 

 is widely distributed. 



Cultures. This organism is a strict anaerobic, and grows well 

 in most culture media, at incubator or room temperature. On 

 gelatine plates colonies develop on the surface (under hydrogen) 

 in tiny shining white bodies, which upon magnification are found 

 to be filled with a grayish-white substance composed of melted 

 gelatine, and long tangled filaments. The edges of the colonies 

 are fringed. In gelatine stab cultures (made in liquid gelatine, 

 which, after inoculation, is rapidly solidified in ice water) a 

 globular area of liquefaction occurred. If sugar is added, active 

 fermentation takes place, with the production of large amounts of 

 offensive gas. It grows well on agar, in bouillon, and in milk. 



Pathogenesis. Is pathogenic for man, horses, sheep, dogs, rab- 

 bits, calves, pigs, goats, rats, mice, and guinea pigs. Cattle are 

 said to be immune. When bacilli are applied to a scratched sur- 

 face, infection is not likely to occur, as free oxygen seems to inhibit 

 the growth; if, however, the wound is deep, rapid infection follows, 

 young domestic, and laboratory animals dying within forty-eight 

 hours. The bacillus produces a moderate quantity of toxin and 

 has an antagonistic action on leucocytes. In man, the clinical 

 manifestation of infection with this organism is known as malig- 

 nant oedema. Infection has followed penetrating wounds of the 

 body, by dirty tools, nails, splinters, bullets, etc. The disease 

 is often quickly fatal. It produces, frequently, rapid moist 

 gangrene. 



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