FUNGI IMPERFECTI— SPOROTRICIIUM 



297 



Sporotrichum, Link 



Hyphae, branching irregularly and repeatedly, septate or continuous, usual- 

 ly equally procumbent; conidia, acrogenous at the apices of the main and lateral 

 branches, usually solitary beneath, ovoid or subglobose. This genus differs 

 from Botrytis, especially in all the hyphae being procumbent and the conidia 

 subsolitary; from Trichosporum, in never being dark colored. Very many 

 species, imperfectly described by older writers, show mere forms, or mycelia. 



Sporotrichum Furfur. Rob 



Pale yellow or yellowish brown to dark brown or brownish-red spots, vary- 

 ing in size from that of a lentil to that of a hand, either smooth or shining or 

 dull exfoliating. Found on the breast, stomach, or back. Never upon the 

 hands, feet, seldom on the face. Slender hyphae 3-4 /* wide, 7-13 M long, vari- 

 able as to length and thickness. The spores are clustered resembling oil drops. 

 On potato a characteristic growth of yellowish, orange red brown, blackish 

 or greenish color. Old culture is grayish, brownish or violet color. In 3-4 

 days a whitish gelatinous mass forms, which in 3-4 weeks covers the whole 

 surface. Conidia are oidium-like, surrounded by thick hyphae, occur in scales, 

 4-7 li, spherical. In cultures budding occurs. 



Distribution. Common in some localities in Europe and America. 



Pathogenic properties. Fehr in 1840 observed that most of the inhabitants 

 in a Swiss village were infected through cattle. Bazin in 1853 observed that 

 many cavalry men were infected through horses. Papa in 1840 observed that 

 this disease was frequently transmitted to men. In cities it chiefly occurs in 

 cats and dogs, and through these it is conveyed to men. 



It is especially common in people with tender skins and in tubercular 

 patients, and is more common with women than men. In 1846, Eichstedt dis- 



Fig. 110. Sporotrichum Furfur. After Kaposi. 



