EXAMINATION OF THE HUMAN BODY. 191 



growth of bacteria are more favorable. The alimentary canal 

 of the newly bom infant is sterile, but in a few hours micro- 

 organisms begin to appear. 



Some gastric bacteria normally present are Sarcina ventric- 

 uli, Bacterium lactis aerogenes, Bacillus subtilis, B. amylo- 

 bacter, B. megaterium. 



The intestinal organisms are more numerous, and the mu- 

 cous lining of the intestines and the secretions there present 

 are favorable to germ-growth. 



Bacillus geniculatus, Boas considers a sign of carcinoma of 

 the stomach, and is always present, he claims, when the con- 

 tents contain lactic acid. 



Some investigators consider digestion dependent on microbic 

 activity, but experiments with animals have recently shown 

 that life and digestion can proceed in a perfectly sterile condi- 

 tion. Food and air sterilized will not develop bacteria in the 

 faeces. 



In the faeces of the young a great many bacteria have been 

 found that are supposed to stand in close relation with the 

 intestinal disorders common to nurslings. The majority of 

 bacteria usually present in the intestines are non-pathogenic. 

 The following varieties may be met with in the feces : Micro- 

 coccus aerogenes, Bacillus subtilis, B. butyricus, B. putrificus 

 coli, B. lactis aerogenes, B. coli commune, B. subtiliformis, and 

 the bacteria of cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, besides many 

 yeast-cells. 



Genito-urinary Passages. In vaginal secretion Bumm has 

 been able to find a number of organisms, some of which 

 closely resemble the gonococcus; thus, there is the Diplococ- 

 cus subflavus, Micrococcus lacteus faviformis, Diplococcus albi- 

 cans ampins, and the vaginal bacillus. 



In the urethra of healthy persons bacteria are sometimes 

 found, usually having entered from the air. 



In the normal secretions around the prepuce a bacillus called 

 the smegma bacillus has been discovered, and it is considered 

 identical with the so-called syphilis bacillus of Lustgarten. 



In urethra! pus a number of diplococci other than the gono- 

 cocci have been isolated. 



