1887.] 
Dr A. B. Griffiths on Micro-Organisms. 
39 
(c) Micrococcus tetragonus. 
This micrococcus (fig. 4) is found in the sputum of patients suffer- 
ing with phthisis. According to the most reliable sources, Micro- 
‘oecus tetragonus is only saprophytic in man, hut pathogenic in 
animals. Mice inoculated with a small quantity die in a few days 
Fig. 4. — Micrococcus tetragonus, stained with gentian 
violet (much enlarged). 
andthe microbe afterwards is to be found in various organs of the 
bod'. This microbe grows tolerably well in nutrient agar-agar.* 
I hve experimented with Micrococcus tetragonus in an exactly 
sim:ar manner to the experiments with Micrococcus prodigiosus^ 
and)btained similar results. The agents used completely destroyed 
thismicro-organism. 
Te sputum for this purpose was kindly sent to me on 19th July 
188, by Dr E. Wood, M.D., L.E.C.P. (Edin. & Bond.), &c., of 
Broisgrove, Worcestershire, from one of his patients. The bottle 
senito me was labelled : — “ Thomas Smith [young man), expectora- 
tion of supposed 'phthisis at base of left lung. Sister died of it '' 
I fond in the sputum a considerable number of Bacillus tubercu- 
losii Micrococcus tetragonus, and a large quantity of Ereund’s 
celliose. 
[d) Bacillus buhjricus. 
I will be remembered that in my last memoir [loc. cit.) on this 
subict, I gave an account of having destroyed Bacillus butyricus 
by Lsing the germicide salicylic acid in small quantities. This 
fad has recently been confirmed by M. Pierre Grosfils. M. 
*Lgar-agar can be obtained from Christy & Co., 25 Lime Street, London, 
at 8 per lb. 
