Bacillus Coli Communis 



517 



BACILLUS COLI COMMUNIS (ESCHERICH). 



General Characteristics. A motile, flagellated, non-sporogenous, 

 aerobic and optionally anaerobic, non-chromogenic, non-liquefying, 

 aerogenic, saprophytic, occasionally pathogenic bacillus, staining by 

 the ordinary methods, but not by Gram's method. 



This micro-organism was first isolated from human feces by 

 Emmerich,* in 1885, who thought it to be the specific cause 

 of Asiatic cholera, and called it Bacillus neapolitanus. 

 Many investigators have since studied its peculiarities, until 

 it has become one of the best known bacteria. 



Fig. 152. Bacillus coli (Migula). 



Distribution. It is habitually present in the feces of 

 animals, and in water and soil contaminated with them. 

 Soon after birth the organism finds its way into the alimen- 

 tary canal and permanently establishes itself in the intes- 

 tine, where it can be found in great numbers throughout 

 the entire life of the individual. It is almost certainly 

 identical with Bacillus pyogenes fcetidus of Passet, and so 

 closely resembles B. acidi lactici that Prescott f believes 

 them to be identical. It may also be identical with Ba- 

 cillus lactis aerogenes, Bacillus cavicida, and other described 

 species. 



*" Deutsche med. Wochenschrift," 1885, No. 2. 



f Society of American Bacteriologists, Dec. 31, 1902. 



