BACILLVS (EDKMATIS. 523 



lactic in the treatment of wounds in which infection by 

 the tetanus bacillus is possible. The prophylactic injec- 

 tion of the tetanus antitoxin in these cases, however, 

 should always be accompanied by approved surgical 

 treatment of the wound, and under these conditions it is 

 more or less doubtful which of these measures is of the 

 greater value, but experience seems to indicate that the 

 antitoxin has a distinct prophylactic influence in these 

 cases. 



BACILLUS CEDEMATIS, LIBORIUS, 1886. 



The bacillus of malignant oedema, also known as 

 vibrion septique, is another pathogenic form almost 

 everywhere present in the soil. In certain respects it 

 is a little like bacterium anthracis, and was at one 

 time confounded with it ; but it differs in the marked 

 peculiarity of being a strict anaerobe. It was first 

 observed by Pasteur, but it was not until later that 

 Koch, laborious, Kitt, and others described its pecu- 

 liarities in detail. It can often be obtained by 

 inserting under the skin of rabbits or guinea-pigs small 

 portions of garden-earth, street-dust, or decomposing 

 organic substances. There results a widespread oedema, 

 with more or less gas-production in the tissues. In the 

 oedematous fluid about the site of inoculation the organ- 

 ism under consideration may be detected. (Fig. 89, A.) 



It is a rod about 3 to 3.5 p. long and from 1 to 1.1 // 

 thick i. e., it is about as long as bacterium anthracis, 

 but is a trifle more slender. It is usually found in pairs, 

 joined end to end, but may occur as longer threads ; 

 particularly is this the case in cultures. When in pairs 

 the ends that approximate are squarely cut, while the 

 distal extremities are rounded. When occurring singly 



