BACILLUS PYOCYANEUS 191 



nounced putrefactive powers. It is very similar to the 

 colon bacillus. It has been encountered in abscesses, 

 pyelonephritis, endometritis, and peritonitis. Meat 

 poisonings have been traced to it. Its toxin is very 

 poisonous. It is frequently a harmless inhabitant of 

 the intestinal tract. It is quite resistant, and to kill 

 it requires the most approved disinfectants acting 

 over a considerable time. 



Bacillus Pyocyaneus. Bacillus pyocyaneus is the 

 organism of green pus. This bacterium is widely dis- 

 tributed on the skin and mucous membranes of man 

 and animals. Its disease-producing powers are low 

 and considerable reduction of resistance on the part of 

 the host may be assumed when infection occurs. It 

 may enter by cracks or wounds, and not infrequently 

 is associated with other bacteria, notably the pus cocci. 

 The pyocyaneus bacillus is an actively motile, straight, 

 or slightly curved, non-spore-forming rod measuring 



from 2 -5-Joo inch to s 1/06 inch lon S and T73000 mc h 

 wide. Its motility is due to one flagellum placed at 



one end. 



It grows readily at room or body temperature, best 

 in the presence of oxygen. On agar jelly it forms pig- 

 ments which color the growth itself and the medium 

 upon which it is living. These pigments are of two 

 kinds, a green one and a fluorescent one. They impart 

 a beautiful green fluorescence to the tube of culture 

 material. The bacillus has the power to elaborate a 

 gelatin-digesting and a milk-curdling ferment. Its 

 powers of resistance to heat and chemicals are rather 

 high. Materials to be disinfected should be exposed to 

 carbolic acid or formaldehyde solutions for half an hour. 



