556 THE ANAEROBIC BACTERIA 
aniuials but this liolds true for many bacteria. Metchnikofi' believed 
one of his two types was of significance in certain types of chronic 
intestinal inflammation, and it is stated that the accidental ingestion 
of the organism has led to transient intestinal disturbances. At pres- 
ent the principal significance of B. sporogenes rests upon its apparent 
ability to exalt the virulence of B. welchii in the production of gas 
gangrene. Possibly to a lesser extent it may influence the patho- 
genicity of Mbrion septique. A suggestion has been made that advan- 
tage be taken of the proteolytic powers of the organism to liquefy 
pathological tissue in the treatment of certain types of wounds. The 
diseased tissue is vulnerable to the attack of the proteolytic enzyme of 
B. sporogenes, whereas healthy or soiuid tissue is said to be refractory. 
The exaltation of virulence of the Welch bacillus by B. sporogenes 
should be borne in mind, how^ever, if direct implantation of the latter 
organism is contemplated. 
Serological Reactions.— Weinberg and Seguin^ have found that the 
injection of cultures of B. sporogenes into experimental animals leads, 
to the formation of agglutinins of considerable potency. By means of 
these agglutinins, Donaldson- has found that B. sporogenes and the 
Reading bacillus are both clumped with a specific serum prepared for 
the latter organism, thus strengthening the suspicion that the two are 
identical. Studies of the chemistry of the two organisms by Harris^ 
leads to the same conclusion. Similar studies by Wolf and Telfer'' are 
also indicative of this relationship. 
Distribution and Occurrence.— B. sporogenes appears to be widely 
disseminated in Nature. It is a common inhabitant of the alimentary 
canal of man and of at least some animals; it is found in the soil and 
in the dust of laboratories. It is a most common contaminant of 
anaerobic cultural media, the easiest to acquire, the most elusive to 
recognize unless specifically guarded against, and the most difficult to 
eliminate or eradicate. The spores are very resistant to disinfectants, 
and to the boiling temperature. One hour's exposure to 100° C. or 
even several days' immersion in 5 per cent phenol solution is not neces- 
sarily fatal. In dense media, as cooked meat or similar preparations, 
one hour's sterilization at 15-pounds' pressure will not kill B. sporo- 
genes with certainty. Several hours' sterilization at three-day inter- 
vals is the most satisfactory method for eliminating the organism from 
cultural media. Ad interim incubation of such media at 37° C. should 
be practised. 
Bacteriological Diagnosis.— Mor;j/?o/o^ica/.— A medium-sized bacillus, 
occurring singly or in pairs, but rarely in chains, smaller than the 
Welch bacillus and practically never showing marked involution forms 
is suggestive of the presence of B. sporogenes in pathological tissues or 
1 Loc. cit. 2 Loc. cit. See also Edinburgh Med. Jour., 1919, 22, 3. 
3 Jour. Pathol, and Bacteriol., 1919, 23, .30. 
4 Biochem. Jour., 1917, 11, 197. 
