1881.] Dr. G. Thin. On the Trichophyton tonsurans. 501 



II. " On the Trichophyton tonsurans (the Fungus of Ringworm)." 

 By George Thin, M.D. Communicated by Professor 

 Huxley, Sec. R.S. Received February 19, 1881 * 



(Abstract.) 



When hairs affected with the Trichophyton tonsurans are cultivated 

 in cells, the development of the spores on the sides of the hairs can, if 

 it occurs, be observed in situ under the microscope. When the attempted 

 cultivation takes place on the surface of a fluid in a test-glass, it is also 

 possible, after maceration in solutions of potash, to decide whether 

 the spores in the hairs have grown out from the surface of the hair, 

 and to distinguish between a growth of adventitious fungi and the 

 growth of the Trichophyton. 



The paper gives an account of experiments made by the use of cells 

 and test-glasses, which were kept at a temperature of between 92° and 

 98° F., but in a few instances at the ordinary room temperature. The 

 Trichophyton remained sterile in cultivations attempted with a solu- 

 tion of phosphate of soda and tartrate of ammonia, with Cohn's fluid, 

 milk, carrot infusion, turnip infusion, salt solution (0*75 per cent.), 

 egg albumen, egg albumen and potash, and vitreous humour and 

 potash. The only method by which it was grown was by moistening 

 the hairs with vitreous humour. When moistened with vitreous 

 humour, the spores on the sides of the hairs placed in cells were seen 

 to grow into a mycelium, and free growth took place when the hairs 

 were floated on the surface of this fluid in test-tubes. It did not grow 

 in cells when the hairs were immersed in a large drop, nor in test- 

 tubes when the hairs were kept at the bottom of the tube. 



The growth observed consisted in a formation of mycelium, which 

 sprouted from the spores in the hairs, and in the formation of spores in 

 the newly-formed mycelium. 



The successful cultivations were, with one exception, at the incubator 

 temperature. In the exceptional instance the fungus grew at room 

 temperature, but more feebly and slowly than at the incubator 

 temperature. 



It was shown by experiments in which Aspergillus, Penicillium 

 glaucum, and other fungi grew around the hairs, whilst the spores of 

 the Trichophyton remained sterile, that the latter is essentially distinct 

 from the common fungi whose spores are present in the atmosphere. 



The development of the spores by the only method found successful 

 could not be relied on as certain in any given case. It was not found 



* Towards the expenses of this research a grant was made by the British Medical 

 Association on the recommendation of the Scientific Grants Committee of the Asso- 

 ciation. 



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