HoGG^ on Vegetable Parasites. 
15 
jiidge^ they are found everywhere^ and in and on every con- 
ceivable thing, if we only look close enough for them. Even 
the open mouth is an excellent trap ; of this there is ample 
evidence^ since we often find on the delicate membrane lining 
the mouth of the sucking, crying infant^ and on the diph- 
theritic sore throat of the adult, the destructive plant 
O'idium albicans. The human or animal stomach is invaded, 
and in a certain deranged condition we find the Sarcina 
ventriculi, with its remarkable-looking quaternate spores, its 
torulse, &c., seriously interfering with the functions of this 
organ. I may mention a curious fact in connection with 
stomach fungus, the discovery of Lehmann, namely, if an 
emulsion of casein (the casein of sweet almonds) be mixed 
with a small quantity of amygdaline and then introduced into 
the stomach of the animal, it very soon ferments, and the 
yeast-fungus quickly changes the chemical constituents of 
the mass into the poisonous substance oil of bitter almonds, 
and thus destroys the life of the animal. 
In specimens of the vomit from another fearful disease, the 
yellow fever, sent to me from Bermuda, I found a large ad- 
mixture of spores and torulse, with altered blood-corpuscles 
and disintegrated epithelial scales.^ Here, then, we have 
striking examples of the ravages committed by the fungi, but 
I think no one will say we are justified in attributing either 
fever, thrush, or diphtheria, to the presence of the Oi'dium 
found in connection with these diseases. I might go on multi- 
plying examples of a similar kind ; but as that would incon- 
veniently extend my paper, I will rather proceed to give the 
results of experiments made with the favus fungus taken from 
the human body. 
At the time I read my former paper I was unable to show 
the results of any examinations, or, indeed, make more than a 
passing allusion to favus, although a well-known form of 
disease, from the circumstance of its having attracted the 
attention of Schonlein, who found a fungus growth always 
* My own observations on the presence of fungi in these vomits receive 
confirmation from Dr. Buchanan, who was sent by the Privy Council to make 
inquiries into the outbreak of yellow fever at Swansea' last September, 
Upon making a microscopical examination of the vomits he discovered large 
quantities of fungus-spores, changed blood-cells, &c. Last year 1 met with 
fungus-spores in the chamber of the eye, a still more remarkable portion of 
the human body, than any above alluded to. A man fifty years of age, came 
to me complaining of impairment of sight. His attention was first directed 
to the defect by the very unusual appearance of a small "plant-like body " 
always before him. B.y a careful examination of the eye with a magnifying 
ophthalmoscope I was quite able to satisfy myself of the presence of a small 
group of puccinia spores in the vitreous humour. 
