BOTULISM. 6 1 



bearing anaerobe and must not be confused with another organism 

 associated with meat poisoning the B. enteritidis of Gartner. 



There are dysphagia, paralysis of eye-muscles and cardiac and 

 respiratory symptoms (medulla). The symptoms are due to the 

 elaboration of a soluble toxin of the same nature as that of diphtheria 

 and tetanus. There is no fever and consciousness is preverved. It 

 has been isolated from sausage and ham. It is a large bacillus 5 to 

 iQfji x ifjL. It is motile and stains by Gram. It produces gas in 

 glucose media. When the toxin is introduced, it requires a period of 

 incubation of twelve hours. An important point is that ham may not 



FIG. 22. Symptomatic anthrax (Rauschbrand) bacilli showing spores. 

 (Kolle and Wassermann.) 



appear decomposed and yet contain many bacilli and much toxin. 

 It is a very potent toxin as little as one-thousandth of a c.c. may 

 kill a guinea-pig. In man the toxin is apparently absorbed from the 

 alimentary canal. For diagnosis inject an infusion of the ham or 

 sausage which was eaten of into a guinea-pig, and characteristic 

 pupillary symptoms with death by cardiac and respiratory failure will 

 result. 



Cultures may be made in glucose agar. The characteristic point 

 is the production of a powerful soluble toxin which produces symptoms 

 when no bacilli are present. 



