THE MICEOBES OF HUMAN DISEASES. 199 



by the desquamation of the mucous membrane of the 

 intestines. The membrane is, in fact, literally flayed 

 from one end to another, and, in consequence of its 

 congestion, the walls of the intestines are of a bright 

 rose colour. The riziform grains consist of small 

 tufts of epithelial cells, conglomerated together, and 

 they contain nuiperous bacilli. 



They are also found in the glands of the intestine 

 into which they penetrate, owing to the desquamation 

 of the epithelium. They have not as yet been f ovmd 

 in the kidneys, the urine, or the blood. 



Cultures of this microbe on gelatine or gelose are 

 very successful. Koch has observed that it readily 

 multiplies in damp linen, or in milk, broth, eggs, 

 moistened bread, potatoes, etc. The temperature most 

 favourable to it is from 30° to 40°, and even at 20° it 

 still multiplies on gelatine. Below 16° it grows very 

 slowly, but does not perish. Cold does not kill it : at 

 10° below zero it is stiU alive, and capable of resuming 

 all its activity when replaced in favourable conditions. 

 This microbe is aerobic, and soon dies when deprived 

 of air. 



Water can serve as its vehicle, but does not supply 

 suflScient nutriment, so that it soon disappears. 

 This, however, is noi^ the case with stagnant water 

 containing organic matter. When the level of sub- 

 terranean waters sinks, the surface water becomes 

 more charged with all kinds of refuse, and the 

 multiplication of germs becomes more easy. Bacilli 



