BACTERIUM TUSSIS CONVULSIVE. 205 



for animals. Often associated with organisms of the 

 xerosis group. 



A differential diagnosis from the Bact. influenzas ap- 

 pears at present scarcely possible. 



It produces in Europe, especially in summer, epidemic 

 conjunctivitis. The disease develops gradually during 

 two or three days ; after three or four days the inflamma- 

 tion is more severe, and may be accompanied by abundant 

 purulent secretion. The affection continues severely for a 

 week, and more lightly for two or three weeks. 



Frequent in Egypt (Koch), but also observed in Eng- 

 land, Paris, Hamburg, Czernowitz, as the cause of epi- 

 demics. Never has been observed in Wurzburg. 



Bacterium tussis convulsivae (Czaplewski and 

 Hensel), L. and N. 



Literature. Czaplewski and Hensel (Dent. med. Woch., 1897, 586, 

 and C. B. xxn, 641); Koplik (C. B. xxn, 222) and Czaplewski 

 (C. B. xxiv, 865); Zusch (Munch, med. Woch., 1898, 712, and C. B. 

 xxiv, 721 and 769); Vincenzi (C. B. xxiv, 850). (See also Koplik, 

 Johns Hopkins Hospital Bulletin, ix, 79, 1898. ED.) 



Microscopic Appearance. In smears of the expec- 

 torated mucus small short bacilli, often only oval forms, 

 of 0.75 to 1.5 ft in length. Sometimes united in very 

 short chains (68, i). Koplik describes individuals in old 

 cultures with slightly clubbed ends. In glycerin and 

 sugar-agar there are sometimes longer forms, reminding 

 one of the coryne-bacteria. 



Spontaneous motion absent (according to Koplik, 

 present). 



Staining Properties. Tendency to polar staining 

 when dilute staining solutions are employed. Strong 

 staining solutions give the organisms a plumper appear- 

 ance. 



Relation to Oxygen. Facultative anaerobe. 



Intensity of Growth. Usually very modest ; often an 

 inoculation from a culture one day old upon the original 

 plate is without result. Growth on agar, poor ; better on 

 glycerin-agar ; best upon Loffler's serum. 



Temperature. Not below 25; grows well only in the 

 incubator. 



