430 MICRO-ORGANISMS IN WATER 



BACILLUS CAPSULATUS 



Autliority. — Rintaro Mori, ' TJeber pathogene Bacterien im Caualwasser,' 

 Zeitschrift fur Hygiene^ vol. iv., 1888, p. 52. 



"Where Found.— In Berlin drain -water. Resembles the B. ^etiwonwie of 

 Friedlander. 



Microscopic Appearance.— Bacillus exhibiting elliptical and rod-hke forms 

 0*9 to 1'6/A in size. Occurs very frequently, andin the bodies of animals exclusively, 

 surrounded by a capsule about 4*5 ju long and 2-5 ^ broad. Sometimes two are 

 found Joined end to end enclosed by one capsule. It is not motile. It is not 

 stained by Gram's method. 



Cultures. — 



Gelatine Plates.— At room-temperature in twenty-four hours it forms 

 porcelain-white shining pin-head colonies. 



Gelatine Tubes. — It grows freely in the depth the whole length of the 

 needle's path, forming on the surface a growth resembling the head of a nail. 

 No liquefaction takes place. 



Agar-\gab. — Grows as on gelatine, but more favourably at a higher tem- 

 perature of from 36° to 37° C. The growth is stringy. 



Broth, — Produces a white turbidity, and after from three to four days a white 

 pellicle forms on the surface, and more especially at the sides of the tube. 



Potatoes. — Grows luxuriantly at 37° C, forming a yellowish moist stringy 

 growth with slightly irregular edge. An abundant quantity of gas bubbles is 

 produced. 



Kemarks. — Is pathogenic to mice, and, when injected into the pleural cavity, to 

 rabbits. 



