496 BACILLI IN CHRONIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 
smegma bacilli found under the prepuce of healthy persons are identical 
‘with the bacilli found by Lustgarten and others mm sections of tissues involved 
in syphilomata. In the absence of pure cultures and inoculation experiments 
it is impossible to establish identity, however similar may be the characters 
referred to. Several well-known pathogenic bacilli resemble quite as closely 
in these particulars other bacilli which have, nevertheless, been differentiated 
from them by culture and inoculation experiments. We may mention 
especially in this connection the bacillus of diphtheria, as obtained from the 
pseudo-membranous exudation in a genuine case of this disease, and the 
pseudo-diphtheria bacilli found by Roux and Yersin in the fauces of healthy 
children. On the other hand, since it has been shown that similar bacilli 
are common in preputial smegma, we cannot attach great importance to the 
finding of Lustgarten’s bacillus in primary syphilitic sores; and it has not 
been found in sufficient numbers, or with sufficient constancy, by those who 
have searched for it subsequently to the publication of Lustgarten’s inves- 
tigations, to give strong support to the view that it is the specific infectious 
agent in syphilis. Baumgarten, who has searched in vain for Lustgarten’s 
bacillus in uncomplicated visceral syphilomata, suggests that the bacilli 
found occasionally in such lesions were perhaps tubercle bacilli and repre- 
sented a mixed infection. As the bacillus under consideration has not been 
obtained in cultures, we have no information as to its biological characters 
and pathogenesis. 
BACILLUS OF RHINOSCLEROMA. 
First observed by Von Frisch (1882) in the newly formed tubercles of 
rhinoscleroma. Cultivated by Paltauf and Von Hiselberg (1880). 
Rhinoscleroma is a chronic affection of the skin, and. especially of the 
mucous membrane of the nares, which is characterized by the formation of 
tubercular thickenings of the skin and tumefaction of the nasal mucous 
membrane, followed sometimes by ulceration. It prevails in Italy, Austria, 
and to aslight extent in some parts of Germany. Pathologists generally 
regard it as an infectious process, although this has not been proved. 
The bacilli, first described by Von Frisch, appear to be constantly present 
in the newly formed tubercles. They are commonly found in certain large 
Fic. 126.—Bacillus of rhinoscleroma in lymphatic vessels of the superficial part of tumor. 
* 1,200. (Cornil aud Babes ) 
hyaline cells peculiar to the disease, and may also be observed in the lym- 
phatic vessels or scattered about in the involved tissues. 
Morphology.—Short bacilli with rounded ends, usually united in pairs, 
and surrounded bya gelatinous capsule resembling that of Friedlinder’s 
