SPIRILLUM CHOLERA ASIATICS. 427 



Babes, longer and broader spirilla are formed in nutrient 

 media containing alcohol, and at the end of these 

 spirilla large round bladder-like dilatations appear ; the 

 latter then become detached, and may remain visible 

 for a considerable time while the thread breaks up. 

 These spheres, as well as the spindle and flask-shaped 

 forms which also occur, are in reality sterile involution 

 structures. 



As yet no multiplication of the comma bacilli by 

 means of undoubted spores has been observed. Against 

 the probability of spore formation we have the observa- 



> 



Fig. 121. Besting forms of the cholera 



spirilla according to Hueppe. 

 a, breaking up of a comma bacillus into 



two spheres. 



b and c, formation of spheres in spirilla. 

 d and e, groups of spheres. 

 Fig. 120. Involution forms f, spirilla with spheres from an old cul- 



of the cholera spirilla (after tivation. 



Ermengem) X 700. g, germination of the spheres. 



tion made by Koch that in dejecta, linen, soil, &c., 

 impregnated with cultivations no living comma bacilli 

 can be demonstrated if the objects have been thoroughly 

 dried for a short time. 



The involution forms just described, and the peculiar Apparent 

 distribution of the colouring matter as the result of turn. 6 

 degeneration of the rods, have frequently led to the 

 erroneous assumption that spores were formed. Thus 

 Carillon* and Ferranf have described the spherical 

 dilatations, and CeciJ the formation of the unstained 

 portions as processes of fructification ; Ferran, in fact, 



* Semaine medicale, 1884, Nov. 



f* Gazeta medica Catalana, 1885, Jan. 



Semaine medicale, 1885, March. 



