1A Messrs. Fowler, Ardern, and Lockett. [Sept. 30, 
organism were found to be present, due to “sucking back” of some of 
the liquid contained in the third flask ; no other organism found. 
Flask 1IZ.—(Living culture.) With one exception the liquid contained 
only organisms of chromogenic type. In the isolated case 20 moulds 
(per cubic centimetre of liquid) were found to be present, possibly 
introduced with the culture, or during plating, whilst many millions of 
the organism under investigation were found to be present. — 
Flask IV.—(Phenol alone.) Generally contained the chromogenic 
organism. On one occasion it was entirely free. The presence of organisms 
in this flask is due to the carriage of organisms by the air from the flask 
containing the living culture. 
Chemical Results—The following is a typical example of the results 
- obtained :— 
Oxygen absorbed from acid 
permanganate in 3 minutes. 
Parts per 100,000. 
Before experiment— 
Solution of phenol added to flasks before sterilising 12°80* 
After experiment— 
Flask Ta Phenollalone sti) ccd pene eee net 10°80. 
Aad ole. ume te deadvonlture ss. je5..s2e50nt set ee 11°80 
ree LE CME ote LAVAINO Fa) ah eer pee 0°50 
ae VG Me. ALONE Wea eaten conic casee ae eee nee 11°20 
No intermediate tests were made. 
* Equivalent to 8°4 parts phenol per 100,000. 
While these experiments were not quite so perfectly successful as could be 
desired, yet sufficient evidence was obtained to show that a pure culture of the 
organism used was capable of oxidising phenol, whilst no change was noted 
in the phenol content of solutions containing “dead” cultures. Similarly, 
no change has been observed in the phenol content of solutions of pure phenol. 
The time taken for oxidation varied from two to several weeks. It 
should be noted that the aération in these experiments was very much 
less than that obtained in the “bottle” experiments. The amount of 
aération appears to make considerable difference in the rate of oxidation. 
Both broth and diluted broth cultures were used in these experiments. 
The following experiment was, however, conclusive, and confirmed the 
natural inference drawn from the foregoing. A solution was made con- 
taining approximately 0°01 per cent. of phenol, together with the following 
ingredients :— 
Per litre. 
Ammonium: sulphatbestearesss cece seu cne ene 0°l gramme. 
Potassium phosphater-caicasse esse scere esse. Ol “A 
Magnesium carbonate, in suspension ............ 4—l1 A 
