PROTEUS 175 



minoid bodies, from which poisonous substances are split 

 off. 



The Proteus vulgaris or Bacillus figurans consists of 

 small, curved, very actively motile rods, which also occur 

 united in groups ; but sometimes the original form alters, 

 so that cocci result. Brown colonies first appear on the 

 gelatine plate, the margins of which carry tufts of processes, 

 and when these coil after the manner of tendrils, the result 

 is a figure (wandering islet) which is easily secured by means 

 of an impression preparation and rendered more distinct 

 by staining. When examined under a moderately high 

 power such a preparation shows the elements and the 

 arrangements formed by their union. A deposit of bacilli 

 arranged in combinations is found in the liquefied areas 

 in the interior of the gelatine. Thrust-cultures show a 

 very rapid liquefaction, the micro-organisms sinking to the 

 bottom. A coating forms upon agar, and a dirty film upon 

 potato. Serum is liquefied and undergoes very speedy 

 putrefaction, as is also the case with masses of meat. 



Proteus vulgaris has the power of causing milk to turn 

 sour, according to Kiihn, or bitter, according to Kriiger. It 

 has also the power, as shown by J. Schnitzler, of convert- 

 ing urea into ammonium carbonate. 



The Proteus Zenkeri does not liquefy gelatine and grows 

 also when air is excluded. Its colonies can be readily raised 

 from the gelatine plate. 



Proteus mirabilis liquefies gelatine very slowly. Of the 

 remaining varieties of Proteus, the Proteus hominis and 

 Proteus capsulatus must be mentioned. 



Bacillus saprogenes, Kosenbach found bacilli in foul- 

 smelling secretions, which, when cultivated, exhale a strong 

 putrid odour, and cause a stinking putrefaction of flesh. 

 He distinguishes three varieties of Bacillus saprogenes. The 

 first kind, which he isolated from the white plugs met with 



