BACILLUS OF MALIGNANT GDEMA. 543 
catheterization. From the animal experiments of the 
authors above mentioned, simple injection of pure cul- 
tures of proteus into the bladder, without artificial sup- 
pression of urine, invariably produces severe cystitis. 
The fact that this organism grows in urine is sufficient 
to account for the extension of the purulent process 
finally to the kidneys. 
The proteus vulgaris is, however, a harmles parasite 
when located in the mucous membrane of the nasal 
cavities. Here it only decomposes the secretions, with 
the production of a putrefactive odor. On the whole, 
considering the very wide distribution of this organism 
in nature, it is remarkable how few diseases are pro- 
duced by it. 
BACILLUS OF MALIGNANT C&DEMA. 
This bacillus is widely distributed, being found in 
the superficial layers of the soil, in putrefying sub- 
stances, in the blood of animals which have been suffo- 
cated (by invasion from the intestine), in foul water, 
ete. It was discovered (1877) by Pasteur in animals 
after injections of putrefying liquids, and named by 
him ‘ vibrion septique.” He recognized its anaérobic 
nature, but did not obtain it in pure culture. Koch 
(1881) carefully studied this micro-organism, described 
it in detail, and gave it the name ‘“‘ bacillus edematous 
maligni.” It was isolated first in pure culture by 
Liborius. 
Morphology. The cdema bacillus is a rod of from 
0.8 to 1y in width, and of very varying length, from 
2u to 10 or more, according to the conditions of its 
cultivation and growth. It is usually found in pairs, 
joined end to end, but may occur in chains or long 
filaments. It forms spores, and these are situated 
