THE CASE OF TEICHOMONAS^ 



DR. PHILIP HADLEY 



The great group of flagellated protozoa has, within the 

 past two decades, ati'orded a wealth of interest for those 

 concerned with pathogenic protozoology; and only in 

 slightly lesser degree for those concerned with taxonomic 

 problems involving these highly interesting microorgan- 

 isms. The field of trypanosome research has, in itself, 

 afforded much new data on morphology and on compli- 

 cated life histories; and has been the chief center of in- 

 terest for many years. 



But there exists another group of the flagellated proto- 

 zoa, represented by some of the commonest forms encoun- 

 tered in the intestinal tract of man and the lower animals, 

 whose frequency of occurrence, simplicity of organiza- 

 tion and freedom from imputations of possessing patho- 

 genic powers, have enabled them to go their way, for the 

 most part unmolested by the protozoologist. If the proto- 

 zoan would escape the inquiring gaze of the researcher 

 he must be self-effacing; he must lead a quiet life of seclu- 

 sion, free from those public manifestations of unrest and 

 mob movement which are sure to bring him, sooner or 

 later, before the bar of investigation, whereupon his whole 

 life is laid bare. 



Tricliomoxas was such a quiet law-abiding protozoan 

 before tlie ti'oiibh' Ix'uaii, before he was detected in insti- 

 gating internal revohitions which bid fair to annihilate 

 the turkey-raising industry of the country. The circum- 

 stantial evidence which has been brought forward against 

 him has served to reveal many aspects of the life history 

 of Trichomonas with which we were not previously ac- 

 quainted; to disclose his participation in activities for 

 which he was previously regarded as scarcely capable, 

 and to demonstrate the existence of certain family resem- 

 blances to some of his companions in mischief who have 

 long been recognized as trouble-makers in the cell or- 

 ganizations of many animals. 



1 Contribution No. 231 from the Agricultural Experiment Station of the 

 Bhode Island State College, Kingston. 



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