Axon : Tricophyton tonsurans. 



43 



spores on the sides of the hairs placed in the 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 was the formation of mycelium from the spores in the hairs, 

 and the formation of spores in the newly-formed mycelium. It was 

 shown that Aspergillus, PenicilUum glaiicum, and other fungi grew around 

 the hairs, whilst the spores of Tricophyton remained sterile, and that 

 the latter is essentially distinct from the common fungi, whose spores 

 are present in the atmosphere. Dr. Thin concludes, from the fact that 

 the spores will not grow when immersed in vitreous humour, but 

 only when moistened by it, that this explains why inflammatory 

 exudation from the blood vessels cures ringworm of the scalp. Dr. 

 Thin's paper appears in the Proceedings of the Koyal Society, vol. 

 xxxi., p. 501-2 ; and an abstract is given in the Journal of the 

 Eoyal Microscopical Society for June, 1881 (p. 496-7). 



Dr. Gerlier took advantage of the outbreak to observe the disease 

 closely. He thinks that when of bovine origin it is not so difficult to 

 treat nor so likely to spread as when it is developed from an equine 

 source. There is a hygienic as well as a scientific value in these 

 observations which shavers and others should make a note of. 



P.S, — Since the above was written, Mr. Thos. Rogers has called 

 my attention to two papers on " Tricophyton tonsurans " in the 

 proceedings of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester, 

 1871-2, vol. xi., pp. 29-61. In these Mr. John Barrow, amongst 

 other interesting details, mentions that he was quite unable to obtain 

 mycelium from the skin of the face in the case of an adult attacked 

 by ringworm, although one hair follicle of the upper lip was filled. 

 This he believes to be tSe cause of the obstinacy of the disease, as 

 the mycelium burrows so deep in the skin as to be beyond the reach 

 of the usual parasiticides. Hence he thought that the best way of 

 attacking the life of the plants would be to seal them up, and so keep 

 them from the action of light and air. Three rings of several months' 

 standing, which had resisted applications of carbolic acid, nitric acid, 

 and ammonia-chloride of mercury, were painted over with a thick 

 coating of tar, which in two days, after partial removal by washing 

 and wear, was taken off with benzole. The skin resumed its natural 

 condition, and no appearance of a return of the ringworm showed 

 itself. 



