CHAPTER XI. 



VARIOUS PATHOGENIC BACTERIA NOT 



ASSOCIATED WITH A SPECIFIC 



CLINICAL DISEASE. 



THERE is a large class of bacteria capable of producing 

 various inflammations or infections that do not follow a 

 constant or even uniform course. Surgically speaking, they 

 are probably the most important group aside from the pus 

 cocci. It is not possible to make many generalizations con- 

 cerning these organisms. The results of infection with them 

 vary greatly, depending first upon their own virulence and 

 second upon the resistance of their host. Biologically, many 

 of these non-specific germs bear a close relationship to 

 species giving a very definite clinical disease. In the first 

 example, the colon bacillus, this is well illustrated. A certain 

 group of bacteria is spoken of as the typhocolon series. 

 This means that they possess characteristics relating them 

 to one another. Certain members of the series can be 

 separated only by very careful technic, yet they are capable 

 of setting up easily distinguishable affections. 



THE TYPHOCOLON BACILLI. 



% 



The colon bacillus is the common normal inhabitant of 

 animal intestines, particularly of the colon, whence it derives 

 its name. The group of bacteria, the typhocolon series, to 

 which this organism belongs and of which it and the typhoid 

 bacillus are the most conspicuous representatives, embraces 

 many species, subspecies, and varieties. A botanical and 

 chemical classification satisfactory to all authorities has not 



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