44 MICRO-ORGANISMS AND DISEASE. [CHAP. 



(about 0-0005 mm. in diameter) which Klebs described as 

 microsporon septicum, found in and around wounds. The 

 spread of purulent inflammation in connective tissues and 

 in parenchymatous organs is often, if micrococci are present in 

 the original focus, associated with a corresponding spreading of 

 the micrococci ; these easily grow into all the spaces and 

 crevices of the tissues, but whether this spreading of the 

 micrococci is merely of secondary importance, i.e. concomitant 



FIG. 15. FROM THE BASE OF AN ULCER OF THE Mucous MEMBRANE OF THE 

 LARYNX IN A CHILD THAT DIED OF ACUTE SCARLATINA. 



1 . Nuclei and fibres of the tissue. 



2. Zooglcea of niicrococci. 



with or subsequent to the spreading of the inflammation, or 

 whether it is the primary cause as some assume, is not clear, 

 and requires definite experimental proof. 



In all cases of diarrhoea the secretions of the bowels swarm 

 with micrococci. In typhoid fever, clumps of micrococci may 

 be found very extensively on the ulcerations of the bowels, and 

 in the mucous membrane surrounding the ulcerations, and 

 may be even traced into the mesenteric glands and the 

 spleen. 1 



In dead tissues within the living body, such as occur after 

 embolism, and in the case of various infectious maladies, 

 micrococci may be found in colonies, i.e. as zoogloea, in the 

 blood-vessels and in the parts around. The same holds good 

 for the disseminated abscesses and necroses occurring in 

 connexion with surgical pyaemia. In this malady masses of 

 micrococci have been found in many of the affected organs. 2 



1 Klein, Reports of the Medical Officer, 1876. Letzerich, Sokoloff, Fischel, etc. 

 3 "Report of the Committee of the Pathological Society," Pathol. Transac- 

 tions, vol. xxx. 



