320 



MANUAL OF BACTERIOLOGY. 



been attributed the causation of several cases of poisoning from 

 spoiled meat * Upon gelatin-plates the colonies present a 

 characteristic phenomenon, when seen under the low power, in 

 the projection of processes which subsequently change their 

 form and position, and which may become entirely detached 

 from the original colony, so that the surface of the gelatin may 

 become covered with so-called "swarming islands." 



The proteus grows on the usual media, tending to produce a 

 foul odor, decomposition and alkaline reaction. In urine it 

 converts urea into ammonium carbonate. 



This organism is one of those which were formerly described 

 under the name of Bacterium termo. It is among the most 

 common and widely distributed bacteria. It has been found 

 in decomposing animal and vegetable substances, in the 

 feces, in the urine in cystitis and in the discharges of children 

 suffering from cholera infantum. It appears that this organ- 

 ism may occasionally be pathogenic to man, causing pus forma- 

 tion, peritonitis and even general infection, f Cultures in- 

 jected in considerable amounts may be pathogenic to animals. 



Bacillus of Bubonic Plague. (Bacillus sive Bacterium 

 Pestis Bubonicae). — An oval or short rod-shaped bacillus, with 

 rounded ends, sometimes possessing a capsule. It occurs 

 singly or in pairs rarely in chains. Involution forms are 

 met with in material from old buboes. Branching forms have 

 been noted. J It is not motile. It does not form spores. 

 With the aniline dyes the ends stain more deeply than the 

 middle; this is called polar staining; by Gram's method it 

 is decolorized. It is aerobic. It grows at ordinary tem- 

 peratures, but better in the incubator. It grows on most 

 media. The growths are grayish-white. Gelatin and blood- 

 scrum are not liquefied. In bouillon, the medium remains 

 clear, while a granular deposit forms on the sides and 



*Gunther Loc. cit. p. 709. 



tWare. Annals of Surgery. Vol. XXXVI. 1902. 



JKolle. Zeitschr. j. Hygiene. Bd. 36. 1901. p. 399. 



