BACTERIUM TUSSIS CONVULSIVE. 205 



for animals. Often associated with organisms of the 

 xerosis group. 



A differential diagnosis from the Bact. influenzae 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 Wiirzburg. 



Bacterium tussis convulsivae (Czaplewski and 

 Hensel), L. and N. 



Literature. — Czaplewski and Hensel (Deut. 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 /i 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. 



