160 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
bacillus experiences in developing in a cultivation medium previously 
used for typhoid cultures, and the mode of action of the serum of 
immunised animals ; that is to say, the agglutinative action on cultures 
and the preventive action against infection. 
Out of 37 samples of water of various sources, 9 contained bacilli 
presenting all the characters of typhoid bacilli. In soils of different 
origin, 7 samples out of 13 showed typhoid bacilli. In five out of ten 
persons unaffected with typhoid, the stools contained bacilli identical 
with Eberth’s bacillus. 
Independent of the foregoing, bacilli were frequently met with, which 
while they presented the greatest resemblance to the typhoid bacillus, 
were distinguished therefrom by the absence of pathogenic properties 
and their indifference to typhoid serum. These organisms, the authors 
believe, are not only closely related to, but are possibly identical with, 
the Bacillus typhosus. According to the view laid down, typhoid fever 
is the result of depressing circumstances, which lead to a lowered vitality 
of the body. This depression allows the typhoid germs to assume the 
offensive, and overcome the resistance of the tissues of the body. 
Homology of Streptococci.* — Dr. C. Zenoni records some observa- 
tions on a Streptococcus obtained from the peritoneal exudation of a man 
suffering from peritonitis and orchitis. The coccus was of large size, and 
formed chains. It stained with Gram, and had the cultural appearance 
of Streptococcus . In different cultivation media the size varied consider- 
ably, as also did the length of the chains. The effect of virulent cultures 
was neutralised by means of Marmorek’s anti-streptococcous serum. The 
author regards his results as supporting the doctrine of the homology ot 
Streptococci. 
Tonsillitis caused by Friedlander’s Bacillus.-) - — MM. Ch. Nicolle 
and A. Hebert record the fact that they have met with eight cases of 
membranous tonsillitis caused by Friedlander’s bacillus ; six times in a 
state of purity, and twice associated with the diphtheria bacillus. The 
bacilli isolated Trom these membranes were examined as to their morpho- 
logical, cultural, and fermentative characteristics ; their virulence was 
also tested, and attempts made to reproduce a membrane in animals. 
Presence of Pneumobacillus of Friedlander in Water.J— According 
to M. L. Grimbert, the bacillus described by Mori under the name of 
B. capsulatus is identical with B. pneumoniee Friedlander. B. capsulatus 
was isolated from water in which, the author points out, the pneumo- 
bacillus of Friedlander may be frequently met with, and there in conjunc- 
tion with B. coli. These two species have frequently been confounded, 
from a general similarity of appearance, and a not too critical examina- 
tion. Neither stains by Gram’s method, nor liquefies gelatin ; both fer- 
ment lactose ; Friedlander’s bacillus is devoid of movement, and does not 
form indol. The author shows that these two organisms, B. coli and 
pneumobacillus, may be distinguished, first by the pneumobacillus never 
producing indol in a pep ton solution, and secondly, by its ability to fer- 
ment glycerin. On the other hand, B. coli does produce indol, and does 
not attack glycerin. The bacillus of Friedlander is easily isolated from 
* Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. u. Parasitenk., l te Abt., xxi. (3897) pp. 10-19 (3 figs.). 
t Ann. Inst. Pasteur, xi. (1897) pp. 67-79. t Op. cit. (1896) pp. 708-15. 
