BACILLUS OF SWINE ERYSIPELAS 193 



BACILLUS OF SWINE ERYSIPELAS. 



(Ger. Bac. der Schweine-rothlaufs ; Fr. Rouget du pore. 



Bacillus rhusiopathise Kitt.) 



This disease is peculiar to the pig, chiefly affecting adult animals, 

 the improved breeds being more predisposed. The characteristic 

 symptoms are great pyrexia, the appearance of red or purple 

 blotches, at first limited, but afterwards confluent upon the skin, and 

 constipation followed by diarrhoea. In very acute cases the redness 

 of the skin may not be present. The average duration of the disease 

 is about two days, but it may last four or five days, and is sometimes 

 so severe that 60 per cent, of the affected animals jiie. 



Microscopical Appearances. A very fine cylindrical bacillus, 1 to 

 Ij /x, long, and 0*2 to 0*6 /u broad. Morphologically identical with the 

 bacillus of mouse septicaemia. It is found in the blood, especially in 

 fine capillaries in contact with their internal wall. It is also present in 

 the exudates in all the diseased organs, in the marrow of the bones, in 

 the faecal matters, and in the urine. Sometimes a blood corpuscle can 

 be observed totally filled with bacilli. (See Photomicrograph of the 

 allied bacillus of mouse septicaemia, Plate III., Fig. 15.) 



Motility. Undecided (Giinther). 



Staining Reactions. Stains best with fuchsin, and beautifully by 

 the Gram and Cladius methods, especially in sections of organs. 



Spores are not formed, but involution or degenerate forms are fre- 

 quent. Drying weakens the bacilli quickly, but they can live a long 

 time in filthy fluids, and the bacilli, according to Kitt, are very difficult 

 to kill in large pieces of meat, such as hams, by cooking, pickling, salting, 

 or smoking. 



Biological Characters. On Gelatine Plates small transparent, 

 slightly liquefying colonies, which under a low power resemble a mass 

 of threads. 



In Gelatine Stab Cultures the growth occurs along the track of the 

 needle, with numerous ramifying out-growths into the surrounding 

 medium, giving the growth the appearance of a test-tube brush. (See 

 Photograph of a culture, Fig. 75.) 



On Agar-Agar a fine coating occurs. 



On Potatoes no growth. 



In Bouillon slight cloudiness, with the formation of a sediment. 



Indol is not formed. 



Pathogenesis. Affects white and grey mice, white rats, rabbits, and 

 pigeons. The animals generally die in three to four days, sometimes 



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