BACTERIUM PUTIDUM. 287 



the nutrient media, we are unable, either microscopically 

 or macroscopically, to see any difference between it and 

 the Bact. pyocyaneum, except that milk is never coagu- 

 lated, but rather clears up gradually, with a yellowish- 

 green coloration. The yellowish-green ring about the 

 growth on potato we have rarely seen. Usually a slight 

 formation of indol is observed, but no H2S. We have not 

 conducted any experiments upon animals. 



The organism, with different variations of chromogenesis 

 and fluorescence (yellowish-green, bluish-green, abundant, 

 slight), is one of the most common inhabitants of water 

 and soil, also it is very often found in milk, gastric contents, 

 etc. The literature contains descriptions of a number of 

 varieties claimed to be specific. We have not been able to 

 study them, but are very skeptical regarding them because 

 of the great variability of the Bact. fluorescens. E. Klein 

 has cultivated from lupin tubercles a form which belongs 

 here (Jour, of Path, and Bact., 11, 1893, 205). (See p. 

 83.) Also Bact. viridans Symmers, from the vesicles 

 of herpes (C. B. xii, 165), is entirely identical, in spite 

 of its ability to grow also anaerobically. 



Bacterium ranicida. (P. Ernst.) Lehm. and Neum. 



Bacillus ranioida Ernst. (Ziegl. Beitrage, Vlll, 203.) Bao. hydro- 

 philns fuscus Sanarelli (C. B. IX, 193). (See also F. H. Eussell, Jour. 

 of Amer. Med. Assoc, June 18, 1898. — Ed.) 



Judging from the description and illustration of this organism, it 

 appears to belong here. It is pathogenic for cold-blooded animals 

 (frogs, lish), but, according to Sanarelli, also for warm-blooded 

 animals. The rods are actively motile, and on many nutrient media 

 grow into long threads. The cultures upon agar and gelatin exhibit 

 a bluish fluorescence. Potato cultures are brown. They liquefy 

 gelatin and ferment sugar, which was not done by any of the eleven 

 fluorescent forms studied by us. The arrangement of the flagella 

 may perhaps give further light upon their relationship. 



Bacterium putidum. (Fliigge.) Lehm. and Neum. 



(Plate 26.) 



Synonyms. — Bacillus fluorescens putidus Fliigge, Bac. 

 fluorescens non liquefaciens Autorum. Compare also 

 remarks on page 285. 



