[Proc. Koy. Soc. Victoria. 35 (N.S.), Pt. II.. 1923.] 



Art. XVI. — r/ie Specific Identity of Bacillus parahotulinus. 



By H. R. ISEDDON, D.V.Sc. 



Veterinary Institute, University of Melbourne. 



(Communicated by Professor H. A. Woodruff.) 

 [Read 9th November, 1922.] 



Introduction. 



In a previous paper the authon has given an account of an 

 anaerobic toxin-forming bacillus, which, whilst resembling B. botu- 

 linus, very closely in certain respects, yet presented certain characters 

 which were deemed sufficient to warrant the organism being regarded 

 as a distinct species, and the name B. parahotulinus was therefore 

 proposed for it. 



This organism, B. paradotuVmus, was recovered from bone of aa 

 animal that had died of what, in Tasmania, is locally termed Midland 

 Cattle Disease, but the condition commonly occurs also in at 

 least three States of the mainland of Australia. The condition,, 

 further, seems to be identical with Lamziekte of South Africa. 



A study of B. parahotuUnus showed that the administration of 

 bacteria-free filtrates of cultures was followed by the same symptoms 

 as those seen in natural cases of the disease, and the organism was 

 therefore considered to be concerned in the etiology of the condition. 



On account of the fact that the symptoms induced are those ot 

 progressive bulbar paralysis, the condition was described under the 

 title of Toixic Bulbar Paralysis as it was felt that the geographical 

 and other names used in Australia do not convey a meaning expressive 

 of either the cause or the nature of the condition. 



It was shown also that in the horse the administration of toxic 

 filtrates of B. parabotulinus lead to symptoms identical with those 

 due to botulinus toxin, whether from human or equine sources, and as 

 Forage Poisoning (Cerebro-spinal Meningitis, so-called) in horse 

 has been shown by several workers in America to be due to Botulism, 

 it would seem possible that there are at least three organisms capable 

 of causing Forage Poisoning in Horses, viz., B. dotuUnus, Types A. 

 and B., and B. paradotuUnus. 



Cases of Bulbar Paralysis in both horses and cattle are of not 

 infrequent occurrence in Australia, but, so far as the horse is con- 

 cerned, no toxicogenic bacilli have as yet been recovered from sus- 

 pected fodder. In the case of two outbreaks, however, tests of the 

 blood serum from chronic or recovered cases have indicated the presence 

 of specific antitoxins therein. These were from two widely separated 

 outbreaks, and in thetone case it would appear that B. botulinus 

 Type A. was responsible, in the other case Type B. 



1. Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics^ Vol. 35, 1922,. 

 part 3. p. 147. 



