BACILLI OF ANTHRAX. 39 



suppuration, more bacilli were found within the inflamed vessels 

 than in the corresponding vessels of the opposite ear. The bacilli 

 were found equally distributed in the arteries, veins, and capilla- 

 ries, but were never found anywhere in the para-vascular tissues. 

 The first stage of inflammation lasted on an average seven hours 

 and a half, after which suppuration initiated the second stage. 

 During this stage, the bacilli disappeared within the bloodvessels ; 

 this could be more readily seen forty-eight hours after the croton 

 oil was applied. During the third stage, when granulations com- 

 menced to form, a complete change was again observed in the 

 bacteriological condition of the inflamed part. The height of this 

 stage is reached on the tenth day. During this stage the bacilli 

 reappear in the inflamed tissue, where they can be seen in consid- 

 erable number, especially in the interior of new capillary blood- 

 vessels. During the process of cicatrization the number of bacilli 

 in a corresponding area of both ears was about the same. From 

 these observations Huber concluded that the bacillus of anthrax 

 finds, in a soil prepared by inflammation induced with croton oil, 

 a locus minori* resistentice, which presents more favorable condi- 

 tions for its growth than tissues in other parts of the body. Sup- 

 puration appeared to neutralize the anthracic process by the 

 destructive effect of the pus ptomaines upon the bacilli. The con- 

 clusions which he has drawn from his experiment may be sum- 

 marized as follows : Localization of preexisting microorganisms in 

 tissues prepared by injury or disease takes place, provided that the 

 necessary conditions for their growth are present. 



In looking over different pathological conditions we frequently 

 meet with a so-called locus minoris resistentice ; at any rate, if we 

 search only for that which should mean what has been described 

 above, it is not difficult to conceive how slight injuries, wounds, 

 contusions, etc., should in this manner give rise to serious affec- 

 tions. But not only do direct tissue lesions, as hemorrhages, 

 necrosis, hypersemia, fractures, etc., act in this manner, but a 

 variety of pathological conditions of a general nature may serve 

 the same purpose as imperfect digestion, enfeebled circulation and 

 respiration, and exposure to cold. All these ill-defined conditions 

 belong here, and through their instrumentalities the localization of 

 infective germs is favored. In mixed infections it can be said that 

 certain infective microbes prepare the tissues for the reception and 

 growth of other pathogenic germs. 



Muskatbliith ( u Neue Versuche iiber Infection von den Lungen 

 aus," Centmlblatt /. fiacteriologie u. Parasitenkunde, B. 1 , No. 2) 

 has made some very interesting and practical experiments on in- 

 fection through the respiratory passages. The bacillus of anthrax 

 was used. The infection was made in two ways : 1. Direct injec- 



