6 4 



MICRO-ORGANISMS AND DISEASE. [CHAP. 



to 0*015 mm - thickness. The masses are of various sizes, 

 from 0*02 to 0*07 mm. in diameter, and are composed of 

 small spherical micrococci. Cohn found them also in his 

 (Cohn's) nourishing fluid (see Chapter II. A. 7), where they 

 produce the peculiar smell of cheese. They are capable of 

 changing acid nourishing material into alkaline. Cohn called 

 the organism ascococcus Billrothi. 



-"....., 



FIG. 17. Ascococcus BILLROTHI (AFTER COHN). 



Sardnce Ventriculi. Goodsir was the first to describe in 

 the vomit of some patients, peculiar groups of four cubical 

 cells, with rounded edges, and closely placed against one 

 another. These sarcince. ventriculi are of a greenish or reddish 

 colour. The diameter of the individual cells is about 0*004 

 mm. They are found in the contents of the stomach of man 

 and brutes in health and disease, where the groups of four 

 cells form smaller and larger aggregations. Occasionally 

 small sarcinse occur on boiled potatoes, egg albumen, and 

 gelatine exposed to the air. These sarcinae are considerably 



