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SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
processes are not flagella is obvious from their being easily stained ; that 
the organisms are non-motile, from the branchings, and also from 
their being of the same thickness throughout. It is suggested that these 
outgrowths are to be regarded in the light of organs for taking up 
oxygen, which thus aid in the nitrification process. 
Pseudo-Tuberculosis Hominis Streptotricha.* — Dr. S. Flexner gives 
a brief account of a bacteriological find in the lungs and peritoneum of 
a negro who died with symptoms of tuberculosis. The lungs were con- 
solidated and breaking down ; while on the peritoneum, in the liver and 
in the spleen were nodules resembling tubercles. Cover-glass prepara- 
tions showed no microbes resembling the Bacillus tuberculosis in their 
morphology. Cultures from different sites were negative, both as regards 
B. tuberculosis and the fungus found in the lungs. This organism was a 
branching one, often occurring in clumps or in convoluted masses among 
which no ordinary bacillary forms were discovered. From the lesions in 
the lungs and peritoneum, and from the intimate relation of the masses 
of Streptothrix to the pathological process, and also from the symptoms 
resembling those of phthisis florida, the organism is designated pseudo- 
tuberculosis hominis Streptotricha. 
Flavour-producing Micrococcus of Butter.f — Mr. S. C. Keith has 
isolated a micrococcus which produces a decided butter flavour and 
aroma when grown in milk or cream, and to this new species the name 
M. butyri-aromafaciens is given. The general characters of this 
coccus are that it occurs usually in pairs ; it is 0 • 5-1 p ; is not motile ; 
grows'well at 37° and at 20° ; is aerobic and liquefies gelatin slowly. On 
agar the growth is white and abundant. It does not coagulate milk, 
but imparts to it a slightly sourish pleasantly aromatic buttery flavour. 
The reaction of the milk is acid. It does not produce gas in Smith’s 
medium ; it does not grow well on potato ; it renders bouillon turbid, 
forming at 37° a surface growth. It reduces nitrates to nitrites. 
* Bull. Johns Hopkins Hosp., viii. (1897) pp. 128-9. 
t Technology Quarterly, x. (1897) pp. 247-8 (2 figs.). 
