BACILLUS OF MALIGNANT (EDEMA 173 



BACILLUS OF MALIGNANT (EDEMA. 



Bacillus CEdematis Maligni. 



Vibrion septiqub. 



Bacillus of Malignant (Edema. 



Morphology and Stains. Thickish rods, resembling tetanus 

 and symptomatic anthrax bacilli, with a tendency to grow in long 

 threads. It is actively motile, and is possessed of numerous peri- 

 trichous flagella. Spores are found which may be either equatori- 

 ally or polarly situated. This organism is readily stained by the 

 ordinary methods, but not by Gram's. 



Chemical Activities. Milk' is coagulated, but not soured, and 

 the reaction is amphoteric. Abundant alkali is formed at times; 

 albumin is decomposed, forming fatty acids, leucin, an oil, and an 

 offensive odor. CO 2 N. and marsh gas, are also formed. 



Habitat. It is found in soil, dust, manure and dirty water and 

 is widely distributed. 



Cultures. This organism is a strict anaerobic, and grows well 

 in most culture media, at incubator or room temperature. On gel- 

 atine plates colonies develop on the surface (under hydrogen) 

 in tiny shining white bodies, which upon magnification are found 

 to be filled with a grayish- white substance composed of melted gela- 

 tine, and long tangled filaments. The edges of the colonies are 

 fringed. In gelatine stab cultures (made in liquid gelatine, which, 

 after inoculation, is rapidly solidified in ice water) a globular area 

 of liquefaction occurred. If sugar is added, active fermentation 

 takes place, with the production of large amounts of offensive gas. 

 It grows well on agar, in bouillon, and in milk. 



Pathogenesis. Is pathogenic for man, horses, sheep, dogs, rab- 

 bits, calves, pigs, goats, rats, mice, and guinea pigs. Cattle are 

 said to be immune. When bacilli are applied to a scratched sur- 

 face, infection is not likely to occur, as free oxygen seems to inhibit 

 the growth; if, however, the wound is deep, rapid infection follows, 

 young domestic, and laboratory animals dying within forty-eight 



