22 



digestive apparatus is a further significaiice. If this period by 

 some reason or other is abnorinally prolonged, even moulds in 

 small numbers might leave some injurious effect. 



Summary. 



1. The occurrence of fungi in the alimentar}^ canal of man has 

 been proved to be more frequent than was formerly supposed. 

 In analyzing samples of human faeces the following moulds 

 were isolated: Aspergillus famigatiis, A. flaviis, A. niger, A. nidulans. 

 A. iimbriniis, A. ierreus, Penicilliiim diuaricatiim, Oidiiim lactis. In 

 addition numerous ^easts were found. 



2. Samples of faeces from higher animals yielded the following 

 forms: Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Rhizopiis nigricans, Penicillium 

 luteum, and P. avellaneum, the latter being reported for the firsl 

 ti me. 



3. Penicillium notatum and P. frequentans were isolated from cold- 

 blooded animals. 



4. The temperature modifies the toxic action of the gastric juice 

 in this wa}": an increase in temperature above the optimum for 

 the fungus increases the toxicity of the juice to the species. 

 Moulds with low optima are therefore killed when passing 

 through the alimentary canal, while thermophilous species pass 

 through alive. iVccordingly only moulds with comparatively 

 higher optima are found in faeces of warm-blooded animals while 

 faeces of cold-blooded animals yield moulds with low optima 

 as well. 



5. Intravenous injections in rabbits of Aspergillus terreus, A. umbrinus, 

 and Penicillium divaricatum showed no pathogenic properties of 

 these moulds. 



6. Feeding of spores and mjxelium of Aspergillus fumigatus, A. 

 flavus, A. niger, A. nidulans, A. umbrinus, A. terreus, Penicillium 

 avellaneum and P. divaricatum to rabbits proved to be fatal. The 

 symptoms of poisoning from the toxic moulds were muscular 

 convulsions resembling tetanus, weakness and paralysis, followed 

 by death. 



7. An accumulation of moulds in the alimentary canal of man 

 may lead to serious disturbances and should, therefore, receive 

 due attention. 



