DIPHTHERIA BACILLUS. 333 
observed. The rods are straight or slightly curved, and 
usually are not uniformly cylindrical throughout their 
entire length, but are swollen at the end or pointed at 
Fig. 44. 
Diphtheria bacilli characteristic in 
shapes but showing even staining. In 
appearance similar to the xerosis ba- 
cillus. <1100diameters. Stain, me- 
thylene-blue. 
Non-virulent diphtheria bacilli, 
showing stain with Neisser’s solu- 
tions, supposed to be characteristic 
of virulent bacilli. Bodies of bacilli 
in smear, faint brown ; points, dark 
blue. 
Small type of pseudodiphtheria bacilli. >< 1000 diameters, ~ 
the ends and swollen in the middle portion. The 
average length of the bacilli in cultures from different 
sources frequently varies greatly, and even from the 
