TYPHOID BACILLUS CONTAMINATION 



103 



a brief statement of the typhoid fever and the organism which 

 causes this disease. The primary cause of typhoid fever is the 

 Bacillus typhosus, which in its general morphological characteris- 

 tics resembles the colon bacillus, differing in that it is somewhat 

 longer and more actively motile. When introduced into the 

 intestinal tract of man it multiplies very actively and produces 

 the symptoms of the disease known as typhoid fever. In disease, 

 therefore, this organism grows in the same environment as the 

 colon bacillus, excepting that the temperature (fever temperature) 

 is higher. After recovery from the disease, the germs may remain 



FIG. 29. Bacillus typhosus, y2-hr. gelatin culture.- 



Wassermann.) 



-(Stitt, after Kolle and 



in the intestinal tract for long periods of time, for months and years. 

 Furthermore, those who have never had the disease may become 

 infected with the germs and carry them for long periods of time 

 without developing the disease. Persons infected with the germs 

 of typhoid fever without suffering from the disease are known as 

 typhoid carriers, and it is self-evident that they may cause typhoid 

 fever in those with whom they may come in contact. Numerous 

 such carriers have been found and many sporadic cases of typhoid 

 have been traced to such source. However, the majority of 

 typhoid epidemics are traceable to foods and drinks contaminated 



