Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift 1916. Bd 10, h. 1. 



THE PRESENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE 

 MOULDS IN THE ALIMENTARY CANAL 

 OF MAN AND HIGHER ANIMALS 



GÖTE TURESSON 



BY 



During a course of study of coprophilous fungi, dungs of väiniii^ 

 animals were examined and many interesting forms were isolated 

 and grown in pure cultures. Also human faeces were tried, and 

 a remarkable series of different moulds were brought to light from 

 this material. As it seemed desirable to investigate more fully this 

 latter group of fungi, the subsequent work was largely confined to 

 the examination of different samples of human faeces. This was 

 thought to be the more important because no systematic stud}^ of 

 fungi present in human excrements seems to have been made. At 

 the outset of the study only a listing of the species found in the faeces 

 was contemplated, hut the forms isolated proved to be of so much 

 interest, that a more exhaustive treatment seemed warranted. The 

 passage of moulds through the alimentary canal led to an investi- 

 gation of the factors which determine or influence the transmission 

 of the spores, e. g. body temperature and the digestive fluids. The 

 frequent occurrence of fungous spores in the digestive tract, often 

 in considerable numbers, suggested experimental work, the purpose 

 of which was to determine whether an accumulation of fungous 

 spores led to any digestive disturbances. The toxic properties of 

 various moulds have been discussed repeatedly in recent years, 

 but the statements are peculiarly conflicting. The importance of 

 the problem was realized and efforts were made to reach a definite 

 conclusion as to the toxic effects of moulds. The finding of 

 pathogenic forms in the digestive tract known to cause mj^coses 

 of various organs was further thought to be of some significance, 

 and therefore received due attention. 



Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift 1916. 1 



