434 ACINOMYCETES. 



in other respects it is rather variable ; the fluid is often 

 almost clear, with a slight orange sediment, which rises up 

 in columns upon shaking. At other times there is a slight 

 transitory cloudiness. In sugar bouillon the growths are 

 identical. 



Milk culture exactly like Mycob. lacticola. 



Potato Culture. — Like that of the glycerin-agar streak. 



Indol is produced only as a trace, H 2 S not at all, and 

 also no gas is liberated. Acid production is the same as 

 by Mycob. lacticola. Gelatin is not liquefied. 



Pathogenic Effects of Mycobacterium lacticola and 

 phlei. 1 



According to the descriptions of all authors, the patho- 

 genic action of these varieties is so similar that it is not 

 worth while to treat them separately. 



It is ageed that the organisms are essentially less patho- 

 genic without the simultaneous injection of butter, and even 

 that the resulting peritonitis (adhesions, membranous for- 

 mations, fibrinous and purulent exudates) may be depen- 

 dent upon the injection of butter alone (Hormann and 

 Morgenroth); still, the intraperitoneal injection of large 

 quantities of pure cultures often produces an infection and 

 causes the formation of nodules in the abdominal organs, 

 yet the process often heals. If animals are killed three or 

 four weeks after the injection of large quantities, the fol- 

 lowing conditions are found (Rabinowitsch): Slightly dis- 

 tended abdomen, more or less severe peritonitis, the peri- 

 toneum and mesentery beset with nodules, numerous small 

 nodules beneath the intestinal serosa, mesenteric glands 

 perceptibly swollen and often caseated. Likewise the liver, 

 spleen, and kidneys show yellowish exudation in nodules 

 in variable degrees. The lungs exhibit, at most, numer- 

 ous transparent nodules, and are usually free from more 

 serious disease. The transfer of small pieces of the organs 

 to a new animal transfers the disease, according to Eabino- 



1 Animal experiments appear to have been performed by Rabino- 

 witsch, Hormann, and Morgenroth exclusively, and by Petri in part, 

 with Myc. lacticola. Petri and Moeller have worked with Myc. 

 phlei. Also Korn's experiments with his Myc. friburgense correspond 

 except in unessential matters. 



