MUCOSUS CAPSULATUS GROUP 



175 



Bacterium Bulgaricum. Another organism not far 

 removed from the group just described, of practical 

 if not of pathogenic importance, is the milk-souring 

 bacillus. There are many varieties, but the one now 

 used most is the Bacterium bulgaricum of Massol. It 

 has the property of breaking up the fat of milk and 

 producing lactic acid. This butter milk or sour milk 



FIG. 50 



Bacterium bulgaricum. X 1000 diameters. (Piffard.) 



is used in intestinal diseases (see p. 35) at the sug- 

 gestion of Metchnikoff. The large quantity of lactic 

 acid is inimical to many disease-producing, putrefac- 

 tive and fermenting bacteria that elaborate absorb- 

 able poisons, giving rise to auto-intoxication. The 



