424 ACTINOMYCETES. 



a rapid death of the bacteria introduced, and ascribe the 

 positive results of others to tuberculous infection. 



Because of the prolonged period of incubation, it is diffi- 

 cult to determine the way by which the infection in man 

 gains entrance. Generally an infection through the vari- 

 ous mucous membranes and slight wounds is assumed ; 

 there are said to be no ports of infection in the alimentary 

 and respiratory organs. Congenital lepra is at least very 

 rare. Abundant L. B. are found in the sperm and milk. 

 They have never been found in the ovaries. Except in 

 the secretion from ulcers, they are found most frequently 

 in the nasal secretion (128 times in 153 cases) (Sticker). 

 The nose is the most common location of the primary 

 affection, as well as the most dangerous source of contam- 

 ination of the surroundings (Sticker, Miinch. med. Woch- 

 enschr., 1897, Nos. 1063 and 1103). 



A positive differential diagnosis of isolated and cultivated 

 lepra from tuberculosis organisms can at present only be 

 based upon the less developed acid-proof quality, the more 

 delicate growths, and perhaps the agglutination. 



Organisms in Verrugas. 



We may only mention briefly that in the Peruvian ! ' Ver- 

 ruga," an endemic disease characterized by rather large 

 cutaneous swellings (hypertrophy of the papillary bodies), 

 and formerly much confused with syphilis, organisms 

 have recently been found in all the organs which are very 

 similar to the T. B. morphologically and tinctorially. See 

 Letulle, Nicolle, Odriozola (C. B. xxiv, 889). 



Mycobacterium smegmatis. L. and N. 



Common Name. — Smegma bacillus. 



Since the investigations of Tavel (C. B. I, 673) and 

 Matterstock (Mitt. a. der mediz. Klinik Wurzburg, n) we 

 have known that still another mycobacterium is found in 

 the smegma of the prepuce and clitoris, and only recently 

 it has been cultivated a few times. 



Laser (Miinch. med. Wochenschr. , 1897, 1191) first 

 succeeded in cultivating an acid-proof, non-motile bacillus, 

 corresponding in morphology to the smegma bacillus. 



