372 



Scientific Proceedings (124). 



inhibited in the icebox, but progressed in the controls which were 

 left in the incubator. No inhibition to hemolysis, as occurs with the 

 Streptococcus hemolyticus, was observed with the pneumococcus 

 plated in a medium (Ph 7.8) containing 1 per cent, dextrose. 

 These plates were first incubated three days, then stored in the 

 icebox three days. 



Fishings of pneumococcus colonies which showed markedly 

 clear zones in blood plates were cultured on blood-agar slants. 

 When replated these cultures produced colonies which failed to 

 show any pronounced differences from the original cultures. 



The hemolysis probably depends, among other factors, on 

 depth of agar layer, the percentage of blood corpuscles present, 

 and the age of the colony, and its vitality. A number of other 

 possible factors might enter this reaction which cannot be dis- 

 cussed in this paper, but we hope that others may take up this 

 problem more fully and investigate the question. 



Conclusions. 



In conclusion, our results would indicate that, (a) pneumo- 

 cocci of all serological groups, under certain cultural conditions, 

 may hemolyze human erythrocytes, and, (b) apparently, this 

 property is not influenced by the reaction of the medium within 

 the growth limits of the organisms, nor (c) by prolonged refrigera- 

 tion of the developed colonies on blood-agar plates, (d) Prob- 

 ably the hemolysin is an intracellular product liberated from 

 autolyzed organisms which diffuse from the colony into the 

 surrounding blood agar. 



180 (1927) 



Studies on the therapeutic effect of B. acidophilus milk and 



lactose. 



By NICHOLAS KOPELOFF and C. O. CHENEY. 



[Bacteriology and Clinical Departments, New York State Psychiatric 

 Institute, Ward's Island, New York City ] 



In a series of psychotic and normal (mentally) subjects relief 

 from chronic constipation and diarrhea was obtained by the inges- 



