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STREPTOCOCCUS ERYSIPELATIS. 



Fehleisen (1883). 



Origin. Occurs in erysipelas, in the lymphatic 

 vessels of the diseased skin; very rarely present in the 

 blood and internal organs. 



Form. Small, spherical cells, which (end to grow in 

 chains of 6-8 ; not infrequently, as when grown in bouillon, 

 the chains may consist of a hundred or more cells. 



Motility. Has no motion. 



Sporulation. None. Arthrospore formation has 

 been suggested. 



Anilin Dyes. Stain readily; Gram's method is 

 applicable, and this is true of most micrococci. 



Growth. Is readily obtained on various media, even 

 at ordinary temperature, but the growth is slow and 

 limited. 



Plates. - On gelatin plates, the colonies develop rather slowly, forming 

 minute, round, yellowish-brown, finely granular colonies, which are sharply 

 bordered and usually show concentric rings. No liquefaction. On affar 

 plates, developed in the incubator, it forms delicate, grayish, translucent, 

 drop-like colonies. 



8lich Vultures. In gelatin the growth is quite characteristic. Along the 

 line of inoculation a row of minute colonies forms, which usually remain sep- 

 arate, but may fuse together, giving rise to a continuous stich. Scarcely any 

 growth forms on the surface. 



Streak Cultures. On agar or blood-serum, it develops as minute, scarcely 

 visible, round colonies, which do not tend to spread. Growth oil potato is 

 doubtful. 



Bouillon. At 37 C. soon becomes diffusely clouded and a slight, whitish 

 sediment forms. 



Oxygen requirements. Is a facultative anaerobe. 



Temperature. Grows slowly at ordinary room tem- 

 perature ; best at 30-37 0. 



Behavior to Gelatin. Does not liquefy. 



Attenuation. The virulence of the organism is sub- 

 ject to considerable variation, even when taken directly 

 from a case of the disease. Artificial cultures soon become 

 attenuated. 



Pathogenesis. Man, rabbits are susceptible. Mice 

 are wholly immune. Typical erysipelas results from in- 

 oculation with pure cultures. Inoculations in man in 

 capes of inoperable carcinoma, etc. Infection in young 

 rabbits frequently gives rise to suppuration, severe general 

 symptoms, elevation of temperature, and death. 



Infection. Occurs undoubtedly through wounds or 

 injuries of the skin. 



