THE MICROBES 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 
rosé colour. The riziform grains consist of small 
tufts of epithelial cells, conglomerated together, and 
they contain numerous 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 found 
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 still alive, and capable of resuming 
all its activity when replaced in favourable conditions. 
This microbe is aérobic, and soon dies when deprived 
of air. 
Water can serve as its vehicle, but does not supply 
sufficient nutriment, so that it soon disappears. 
This, however, is not 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 
