Literaturbericht. 171 



to the existence in the diseased bile of minute vegetable germs, 

 which multiplied abundantly in the varions specimens of bile 

 preserved for analysis. They existed in the form of spherical 

 or irregular aggregations of Micrococcus , the nature of which 

 could be determined only by the employment of the highest 

 powers of the microscope, and by studying their development 

 They were found in fresh blood and bile, but with difficulty. 

 In specimens of bile collected in the evening , they would be 

 found abundantly in the morning ; the white color of their 

 aggregations contrasting with the yellow bue of the flocculi of 

 the bile to which they were attached , and from which they 

 seemed to be derived, their abundance being such as to preclude 

 the idea of their derivation from any other source than the blood 

 or the bile itself. A magnifying power of over one thousand 

 diameters and a lens of good penetrating power were necessary 

 to their definition. Within a few hours of removal from the body, 

 numerous Cryptococcus (or torula) cells, resulting from the develop- 

 ment of the former, were found, often containing crimson granules. 

 Specimens of bile and blood were collected from healthy 

 animals and carefully examined , but in no instance did the 

 forms described make their appearance. The ordinary attendants 

 on putrefaction were alone described. Whether these forms of 

 Micrococcus and Cryptococcus were merely accidental and 

 attendant on a process of fermentation taking place in the 

 bile, or were peculiar to the disease, their presence was an 

 interesting fact, and their nature deserving of careful investigation. 

 Their development was accordingly studied under various con- 

 ditions. They were planted in solutions of sugar, gum and 

 saliva, which had been boiled in order to destroy whatever 

 germs of a different nature the solutions might contain, and 

 were kept hermetically sealed at a temperature of 1 00 o Fahren- 

 heit for several days. The resulting anaerophytic forms (crypto- 

 coccus and torulaj were planted on slices of apple, etc., and 

 their development was noted. After a period of two weeks the 

 planted area was found covered with penicillium, while the rest 

 of the surface was free from vegetable growth. At the same 

 time cryptococcus guttulatus, from the intestine of a rabbit which 

 had been fed on the morbid bile, was also planted on slices of 

 apple, and the germination noted. This was done for the purpose 



