Streptothrix Farcinica, Nocard (1888). 



Origin. — It is present in the pus from the subcutaneous nodules, 

 also in the pseudo-tubercles in the lungs and other internal organs in 

 the disease known as eattle-farcy (farcin du boeuf). Thedisease is very 

 rare in France; apparently quite common on the Island of Guadeloupe. 



Form. — The organism in diseased tissue and in pure culture forms 

 slender filaments which in width are comparable to the rouget bacil- 

 lus. The filaments are densely interwoven, forming masses. They 

 branch dichotomously. 



Anilin dyes. — It does not stain like the tubercle bacillus. In 

 Gram's method, if treatment with alcohol is continued it decolors. It 

 is stained by the Gram-Weigert method (decoloration in anilin oil). 



Growth. — Develops readily on solid and liquid media at the body 

 temperature. Acid media are not favorable. Cultures kept at 40° 

 retain their vitality for months. No growth in the absence of air. 



Streak culture. — On agar it forms irregular, raised, yellowish masses whicii unite 

 and form a thick, coarsely folded membrane, in appearance not unlike that produced by 

 the tubercle bacillus. 



On potato, it forms raised, dry, yellowish scales and the growth as a whole resembles 

 that of the tubercle bacillus. On blood-serum, the growth is slow and has the same charac- 

 teristics as that on potato. 



5oa«7/o«.— Cultures show irregular masses which usually fall to the bottom. When, 

 however, the growth develops on the surface it presents the same characteristics as the 

 tubercle bacillus. It does not coagulate milk or alter its reaction. 



Resistance. — Old growths on the surface of glycerin bouillon are 

 said to contain extremely small ovoid spores which resist staining. 

 These may, however, be the result of fragmentation. 10 minutes 

 heating at 70° destroys the organism. 



Temperatitre. — Does not grow at ordinary temperature, but does 

 grow at 30 to 40°. 



Oxygen requirements.— Is aerobic; will not grow in vacuo or 

 in COj. 



Pathogenesis. — The guinea-pig is the most susceptible animal, 

 then come cattle and sheep. The rabbit, dog, cat and horse seem to 

 be refractory. Intravenous and intraperitoneal injections produce in 

 from 9 to 20 days miliary pseudo-tubercles which cover the serous sur- 

 faces, and, in the former case, they are also present in the various 

 organs. When inoculated subcutaneously in guinea-pigs or other 

 susceptible animals, a local abscess forms, which discharges and 

 secondary ones form slowly. Th|i8 infection, like the natural one, 



rarely produces death. 



420 



