300 MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Paris discovered the hyphae of the fungus and Malcolm Morris the spore-like 

 bodies. Behrend in 1890 succeeded in cultivating the fungus. 



Sporotricfium tonsurans. Barber's Itch 



Hyphae slender 1.5-2 /* in diameter, straight, undulated, dichotomous, septate 

 or non-septate, penetrate the hair follicles forming a matted mycelium, small 

 pustules and scabs ; in places devoid of hairs it forms red, scaly spots, discs 

 and circles. The fungus is found between the uppermost layers of the epidermis 

 just beneath the corneous stratum; the conidia are small, spherical or elliptical, 

 sharply defined 2-3 M in diameter ; the spore masses surround the root of the 

 hair and are frequently densely and closely arranged like beads; in culture 

 media like agar, a many-rayed fungus occurs, the color varies with the medium, 

 yellow, Bismark brown, cherry red, violet, rose, brown, blackish brown; gelatine 

 liquefied; spores swell after a few hours and produce 1-2 germ tubes from a 

 single spore; mycelium with occasional swellings, ectospores formed in 60-96 

 hours, also small, branched air hyphae; small conidia 1.5-3 m in diameter borne 

 on short, lateral branches. The Botrytis-like spores rise on the long, thin, 

 curved air hyphae. Oidium budding does not occur in nutrient media. The 

 spores retain their vitality for six months but exposure to 45° C. for a few 

 hours will kill the organism ; it is sensitive to sunlight and common disinfectants. 

 The fungus is polymorphic, one form having been classed, by Sabourne, with 

 Botrytis. The large-spored trichophyte found on the scalp germinates at 

 37° C, in a few hours ; but at room temperature, a much longer time is required. 



Conidia 5 M in diameter, an abundant mycelium with dust-like growths, 

 and, in three days, oidium-like spores, as well as ectospores, are produced on 

 the potato, the disease being known as Tinea Sycosis. 



The T. circumscripta produces, in animals, cherry patches each with a raised 

 border and scales, and is also found on the head, arms, and neck, of man. T. 

 disseminata produces small red pustules. 



To T. tonsurans, also, is attributed Eczema marginatum: which Kobner, 

 while making a study of trichophytic fungi in 1864, recognized as a trichophyte. 

 He also determined that the fungus on the nails, described in 1853 and 185S 

 by Baum and Meissner, was a trichophyte. 



Fig. 112. Barber's Itch. 

 (.Sporotrichum tonsurans) Fila- 

 ments and spores. After Hyde 

 and Montgomery. 



