SCHIZOPHYTA SCHIZOMYCETES 179 



Bacterium necrophorus, Fliigge 



Disease produced. Necrosis in various organs. 



Animals infected. Calves, lambs, cattle, sheep, goats, antelope, reindeer, 

 red deer, roe, horses, asses, hogs, kangaroos, rabbits, dogs, chickens, kite, 

 guinea pigs, and on experiment mice and pigeons. 



Pathogenesis. The local lesion is sharply marked off, usually yellowish, 

 or of a dull brown, of a yeasty consistency, and having a characteristic odor of 



fig. 30f. Bacillus of Splenic Fever. Bacillus anthracis. Spore formation and spore 

 germination. A. From the spleen of a mouse after 24 hours culture in nutrient solution. 

 B. Germination of spores x 650. C. The same x 1650. After Koch. 



old cheese and glue. Often produces a diptheritic false membrane. It has 

 been described as producing the following in various animals. Necrotic derma- 

 titis, sheep-pox, abcesses in rabbits, necrobacillosis of the hoof, necrosis in 

 digestive tract, stomatitis, vaginitis, metritis, foot-rot of cattle and sheep, 

 necrotic omphalophlebitis in young animals, jointill, multiple necrosis in the 

 liver, lungs, and avian diptheria, etc. 



Disease produced. Diphtheria. 



Poisonous properties. 



Immunity. 



Bacterium diphtheriae, (Fliigge) 



Animals infected. Man. 



Animals susceptible. Horse, guinea pig, rabbit, mouse. 



Pathogenesis. Local and general phenomena caused by a soluble toxin, and 

 necrosis of mucous surfaces, and the underlying tissues, and false membrane 

 often forms consisting of fibrin, leucocytes, etc. There is a mild leucocytosis, 

 probably due in most cases to the co-ordinate activity of streptococci. 



Poisonous properties. A true toxin is produced in the body and when 

 grown in artificial media. It is this toxin which causes the characteristic clinical 

 picture in diptheria. 



Immunity. Injection of non-fatal doses of diptheria toxin results in the 

 production of an abundance of anti-toxin in the blood. This blood serum has 

 powerful curative and prophylactic properties, and has obtained wide usage in 

 general practice. 



