272 BACTERIOLOGY. 



The question as to its spore-forming property is still 

 an open one, though the weight of evidence is in oppo- 

 sition to the opinion that it possesses this peculiarity. 

 Certain observers claim to have demonstrated spores 

 in the bacilli by particular methods of staining, but this 

 statement can have but little weight when compared 

 with the behavior of the organism when subjected to 

 more conclusive tests. For example, it does not resist 

 exposure to 3 per cent, carbolic acid solution for longer 

 than five minutes, nor to 1 : 5000 sublimate solution for 

 more than two minues. It is destroyed in ten minutes 

 in some experiments, and in five in others, by a tem- 

 perature of 55° C, and when dried it losesits vitality, 

 according to different observers, in from thirty to forty 

 days ; all of which speak directly against this being a 

 spore-bearing bacillus. 



It is not motile, and does not, therefore, possess 

 flagella. 



It grows readily on the ordinary nutrient media at 

 from 25° C. to 38° C. 



Upon nutrient agar-agar, both with and without 

 glycerin, it appears as a moist, opaque, glazed layer, 

 with nothing characteristic about it. This is true both 

 for smear cultures and for single colonies. 



Its growth on gelatin is much less voluminous than 

 on media that can be kept at higher temperature, though 

 it does grow on this media at room temperature without 

 causing liquefaction. 



Its growth on blood-serum is seen in the form of a 

 moist, opaque, slimy layer, inclining to a yellowish or 

 dirty brownish-yellow tinge. It does not liquefy the 

 serum. 



On potato its growth is moderately rapid, appearing 



