PRODUCERS OF ABSCESS, CELLULITIS, ETC. 471 
According to Passet, it is more common than the 
aureus in man; but the majority of bacteriologists 
agree with Rosenbach, that the aureus is found at 
least twice as frequently in human pathological pro- 
cesses as the albus. 
Staphylococcus Epidermis Albus (Welch). 
Probably identical with the staphylococcus pyogenes 
albus, but found by Welch on the surface of the body, 
though often present in parts of the epidermis deeper 
than can be reached by any known means of cutaneous 
disinfection save the application of heat. 
With reference to this micrococcus, Welch says: 
“«So far as our observations extend—and already they 
amount to a large number—this coccus may be regarded 
as a nearly, if not quite, constant inhabitant of the 
epidermis. It is now clear why I have proposed to 
call it the staphylococcus epidermis albus. It possesses 
such feeble pyogenic capacity, as is shown by its be- 
havior in wounds, as well as by experiments on rab- 
bits, that the designation staphylococcus pyogenes albus 
does not seem appropriate. Still, I am not inclined to | 
insist too much upon this point, as very probably this 
coccus, which has hitherto been unquestionably identi- 
fied by Bossowski and others with the ordinary staphylo- 
coccus pyogenes albus of Rosenbach, is an attenuated 
or modified form of the latter organism, although, as 
already mentioned, it presents some points of difference 
from the classical description of the white pyogenic 
coccus.”’ 
According to Welch, this coccus differs from the 
staphylococcus aureus not only in color, but also in 
the fact that it liquefies gelatin more slowly, does not so - 
