212 



INFLAMMATION AND SUPPURATION 



throat, which are met with in scarlatina 1 and other conditions, 

 and they are also the organisms most frequently present in 

 acute catarrhal inflammations in this situation. In puerperal 

 peritonitis they are frequently found in a condition of purity, 

 and they also appear to be the most frequent cause of puerperal 

 septicaemia. In a certain proportion of cases they also produce 

 peritonitis secondary to appendicitis. In pyaemia they are fre- 

 quently present, though in most cases associated with other 

 pyogenic organisms. Some cases of enteritis in infants — strepto- 

 coccus enteritis — are also apparently due to a streptococcus, 

 which is usually of the " enterococcus " type. 



The bacillus coU com- 

 munis is found in a great 

 many inflammatory and 

 suppurative conditions in 

 connection with the ali- 

 mentary tract — for ex- 

 ample, in suppuration in 

 the peritoneum, or in the 

 extraperitoneal tissue 

 with or without perfora- 

 tion of the bowel, in the 

 peritonitis following 

 strangulation of the bowel, 

 in appendicitis and the 

 lesions following it, in 

 suppuration in and around 

 the bile ' ducts, etc. It 

 may also occur in lesions 

 in other parts of the 

 body, — endocarditis, 

 pleurisy, etc., which in some cases are associated with lesions 

 of the intestine, though in others such cannot be found. It is 

 also frequently present in inflammation of the urinary passages, 

 cystitis, pyelitis, abscesses in the kidneys, etc., these lesions 

 being in fact most frequently caused by this or closely allied 

 organisms. 



In certain cases of enteritis it is probably the causal agent, 

 though this is difficult of proof, as it is much increased in 

 numbers in practically all abnormal conditions of the intestine. 

 We may remark that it has been repeatedly proved- that the 

 bacillus coli cultivated from various lesions is more virulent than 



1 True diphtheria may also occasionally be associated with this disease 

 usually as a sequel. 



Fig. 50. — Streptococci in acute suppuration. 



Corrosive film ; stained by Gram's method 



and safranin. x 1000. 



