DESCRIPTION OF BACILLUS ALVEI. 33 
aration of any fluid takes place. Ultimately, however, it becomes 
liquid, and after some months it assumes the appearance of a dirty 
brownish yellow, glassy fluid. It is very slightly, if at all, acid. 
Gelatin tube—In this medium the growth is seen on the surface 
and along the line of inoculation. On the surface a ramifying 
growth takes place from the point of entrance of the needle; and 
along the line of inoculation whitish, irregularly shaped masses appear, 
which increase slowly in size. In a few days processes, which are 
thickened at various points and clubbed at the ends, shoot out from . 
these masses. The ends of these processes do not seem to unite. 
A beautiful appearance is obtained when only a few bacteria are 
introduced along the line of inoculation. In a few days small round 
colonies become visible to the naked eye. These increase in size, 
and at about the tenth day shoots begin to appear, which radiate in 
all directions from the central mass and become clubbed. As the 
culture becomes older the radiating branches disappear, and only 
small whitish collections of bacilli are seen at various points. Under 
slight magnification, however, tracks of liquefied gelatin are seen 
extending from the central mass to the whitish collections. The 
evaporation which takes place at the top gives rise to the appearance 
of an air bubble. 
Beginning at the top the liquefaction of the gelatin advances 
slowly downward until ultimately the entire tube is liquefied. After 
two or three weeks there is a layer of liquid at the upper part, with 
the growth as before described in the lower part. At first the lique- 
fied gelatin is clear excepting a loose, white, flocculent sediment 
which is present. There may be a thin surface pellicle. Later the 
liquid becomes yellow, and gives off an odor similar to stale but not 
ammoniacal urine. This, Cheyne says, may better be described as a 
‘“‘shrimpy”’ smell. ‘‘The yellowish color and the peculiar odor,”’ 
Cheyne writes, ‘‘has been found by Cheshire to be distinctive of 
diseased larvee.”’ 
_ Cheyne made also a few observations with animals inoculated with 
Bacillus alver. A bluebottle fly which had eaten some of a milk cul- 
ture of Bacillus alvet was placed under a funnel; the next day it was 
found dead, and upon examination its juices were reported to be 
full of the bacilli. Cockroaches were placed in a box with cultures, 
but rone of them died. A rabbit, some mice, and some guinea pigs 
received cultures of Bacillus alvei subcutaneously, but in general only 
negative results were obtained. 
A conclusion which Cheyne drew indicates that at that time he 
was pretty thoroughly convinced that Bacillus alvei was the cause 
_ of foul brood. The belief which he entertained was based upon his 
13140°—Bull. 98—12——3 
