PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 389 



In the second rank — Sheep ; pigeon. 

 In the third rank — Rabbit; cock. 

 In the fourth rank — White rat. 

 In the fifth rank — Dog; cat; duck. 



During the period of lactation the receptivity is nearly 

 equal in every species, the inoculations being always posi- 

 tive. 



BACTERIOLOGY.— The septic vibrio discovered by 

 Pasteur in 1875 has been called the bacillus of malignant 

 oedema by the Germans, — Hoch and Gaffky. It is found in 

 the blood, the peritoneal fluid, and muscular juices. 



When examined immediately after death in blood serum, 

 without staining, it is found in abundance. In this event it 

 presents itself with the peculiar aspect of excessive length, 

 which is often longer than the entire field of the micro- 

 scope, and so translucent as to escape observation. How- 

 ever, when finally perceived it is found rampant, flexuous 

 and creeping among the blood cells, as a snake moves aside 

 the blades of grass in the bush. 



On the borders of the preparation, where the air pene- 

 trates, it does not exhibit any movements, as oxygen is a 

 veritable poison to it. 



After staining with the various aniline dyes, but by pref- 

 erence with Loeffler's or Kuhn's blue, it appears clearly in 

 the field of the microscope. It shows itself to be composed 

 of unequal segments, placed end to end, flexuous, and cross- 

 ing each other in dififerent directions. Examined in the per- 

 itoneal fluid collected, for example, on the surface of the 

 liver, it is found in considerable quantities. Its segments 

 are short and isolated, united in pairs, flexuous, or joined in 

 parallel series. Muscular juice, also very rich in the vibrio, 

 shows ovoid bacilli swollen to the form of a club or bell 

 hammer. Their peculiarities resemble those of black-leg, 



