428 APPLICATION OF METHODS OF BACTERIOLOGY 



of inflammatory reaction. Occasionally nodules are en- 

 countered, especially in the kidney, that cannot be dis- 

 tinguished from tubercles. The bacilli are always to be 

 found within the nodules; most frequently as single rods or 

 clumps of rods, occasionally as rosette-like mycelia very 

 suggestive of the characteristic growth of the actinomyces 

 fungus in the tissues. This mode of development has also 

 been observed with bacillus tuberculosis. (Figs. 77 and 78.) 



It is important to note the difference between the results 

 of intravenous inoculation of rabbits with bacillus tuber- 

 culosis and with the organisms under consideration. When 

 bacillus tuberculosis is employed, the lungs, as well as the 

 kidneys, are always involved, while with the grass bacillus 

 II, the timothy bacillus, and the butter bacillus, involve- 

 ment of the lungs, in our experiments, has been the exception 

 rather than the rule. 



Another point of interest is the lack of tendency on the 

 part of the non-tuberculous process to progress or become 

 disseminated. 



That the members of this group are botanically related 

 to bacillus tuberculosis there seems little room for doubt; 

 but from personal study and from available evidence from 

 other sources it appears unlikely that they are, except 

 experimentally, concerned in disease-production or that they 

 are of importance to either human or animal pathology.^ 



In the microscopic examination, particularly of urine, 

 of secretions from about the anus, rectum, and genitalia, 

 and of butter, it is manifestly of importance to bear in mind 

 the existence of this confusing group, for it is in such secre- 

 tions and substances that its members are most often en- 



' For the literature on "acid-proof" bacilli, see Cowie, Jourhal of Experi- 

 mental Medicine, 1900, v, 205. 



