FUSIFORM ANAEROBIC BACILLI 457 



FUSIFOEM ANAEROBIC BACILLI PATHOGENIC TO MAN. 



Babes in 1884 described organisms of this type in a 

 diphtheria-like affection of the fauces, and since that time the 

 presence of similar organisms has been noted in necrotic inflam- 

 mations, ulcerative stomatitis, noma, and like affections. They 

 have also been found in pulmonary lesions and in abscesses in 

 other parts of the body ; in these the pus is very foul-smelling. 

 The association of fusiform bacilli with a form of angina has 

 been specially recognised since the work of Vincent (1898-99) ; 

 and this condition often goes now under the name of " Vincent's 

 angina." He recognised two forms of the affection (a) a 

 diphtheroid type, characterised by the formation of a firm 

 yellowish-white false membrane, very like that of diphtheria, 

 associated with only superficial ulceration ; and (b) an ulcerative 

 type where the membrane is soft, greyish, and foul-smelling, 

 attended with ulceration and surrounding oedema. In the 

 former type fusiform bacilli are present alone ; in the latter, 

 which is distinctly the commoner, there are also spirochaetes. 

 The fusiform bacilli are thin rods measuring on the average 

 10 to 14 yu, in length, and less than 1 //, in thickness ; they are 

 straight or slightly curved and are tapered at their extremities. 

 The central portion often stains less deeply than the extremities, 

 and not infrequently shows unstained points and granules 

 (Plate L, Fig. 4). The organisms are non-motile. They stain 

 fairly deeply with Loffler's methylene-blue or with weak carbol- 

 fuchsin. They lose the stain in Gram's method. The spiro- 

 chaetes are long delicate organisms showing several irregular 

 curves, and are motile ; in appearance they resemble the spiro- 

 chaete refringens and similar organisms found in gangrenous 

 conditions. They stain less deeply than the bacilli. Sometimes 

 they are numerous, sometimes scanty ; they seem to be similar 

 to spirochaetae found in the mouth in a variety of other condi- 

 tions. In a section through the false membrane, when stained 

 with rnethylene or thionin blue, there is usually to be seen a 

 darkly stained band, a short distance below the surface, which 

 is due to the presence of large masses of the fusiform bacilli 

 closely packed together ; neither they nor the spirochaetes appear 

 to pass deeply into the tissues. Vincent's results have been 

 confirmed by others, and there is no doubt that fusiform bacilli, 

 of which there are probably several species, are associated with 

 various spreading necrotic conditions. Cultures of fusiform 

 bacilli have been obtained by Ellermann, by Weaver and 

 Tunnicliffe, and by others. They grow only under anaerobic 



