6 4 



Infection 



survived whatever destructive influences the gastric juices 

 may have exerted, and its alkaline contents, rich in proteids 

 and carbohydrates in solution, are eminently appropriate for 

 bacterial life. The flora of the intestine is, therefore, very 

 large both in the number and variety of organisms present. 

 The total number of permanent residents is not known. 

 During infancy the predominating organism seems to be 

 Bacillus lactis aerogenes; during adult life, Bacillus coli. 

 Streptococci, especially Streptococcus coli gracilis, are also 

 very common, if not invariable, inhabitants of the intestine. 

 The vagina, on account of its acid secretions, harbors 



Fig. 6. Sarcina ventriculi (Migula). 



but few permanent forms of bacterial life. Bacillus acidi 

 lactici is the micro-organism most commonly present. 



The uterus harbors no bacteria in health, and but few in 

 disease. The intervening acidity of the vagina makes it 

 difficult for bacteria from the surface to penetrate so deeply, 

 and the tenacious alkaline mucus of the cervix is an addi- 

 tional barrier to their progress. Careful studies of the 

 bacteriology of the uterine secretions have been made by 

 Gottschalk and Immerwahr.* 



The urethra harbors e few cocci which enter the meatus 

 from the surface and remain local in distribution. 



The normal bladder is free from bacteria. 



* ""Archiv f. Gynak.," 1896, Bd. L, Heft 3. 



