INFECTION. 



81 



The absence of cliloropliyl distinguishes tliem from the algic, and 

 places thera among the fungi ; a view which is supported by nearly 

 all the best botanists of our day. The generally accepted classifica- 

 tion is at ])res(.'nt that of Colin, and is — 



1. Spherobacteria, or globular bacteria. 



2. Micro or roil bacteria. 



3. Desmo or tihimentous bacteria. 



4. Spiro or spiral bacteria. 



In 1874 l>illruth, the noted surgeon and author on surgical pa- 

 thology, published a large work upon disease-germs — viz., upon 

 coccobacteria septica — and arrived at very different conclusions from 

 those of Colin, wliich have not, however, gained any general accept- 

 ance. BiUroth chiims tliat there is but one single original species 

 of bacteria, and that all others are derived from it, viz., coccobacteria 

 septica. This vegetable organism may present itself in two forms: 

 the globuhir coccus, and that of rods, hacteria. These two forms 

 may reproduce by elongation and transverse division, or may pass 

 from one to the other. 



According to the variation in size, Billroth speaks of micrococcus, 

 microbacteria ; mesococcus, mesobacteria ; megacoccus, megabacte- 

 ria. And, according to their relations to one another, as mono- 

 coccus, monobacteria ; diplococcus (in pairs), diplobacteria ; strepto- 

 coccus (in chains), streptobacteria ; gliococcus, gliobacteria ; petalo- 

 coccus (foot or base), petalobacteria. 



"We have said that the most generally accepted classification was 

 that of Cohn, but, before considering it more particularly, we feel 

 obliged to notice that of another noted German author, which is 

 based upon the action of these germs. 



Xiigeli speaks — 



1. Of mucorini, or mold-fungi. 



2. Saccharomycetes, or budding fungi, which produce the fer- 

 mentation of wine, beer, yeast, etc. 



3. Schizomycetes, or fission-fungi, which produce putrefactive 

 processes. This group end)races the micrococci and bacteria. 



I. Sphekobacteria. — Spherical bacteria are defined by their 

 name. Tlu-y are round or oval bodies of vor}* small size. They arc 

 sometimes found isolated, often appearing in pairs — diplococcus ; or 

 again we meet with them in the ff)rm of chains, or articulations — 

 streptococcus ; or united together by a sort of homogeneous material 

 — zoogleaform. AVhcn in this condition they are young and in pro- 

 cess of active proliferation. Sometimes they form a coating upon 

 the surface of liquids. "When we speak of a raycoderma, they have 

 6 



