SECTION III. 
HIGHER BACTERIA, MOLDS, YEASTS, FILTERABLE 
VIRUSES, DISEASES OF UNKNOWN ETIOLOGY. 
CHAPPER XXVII. 
TRICHOMYCETES, ACTINOMYCETES, HYPHOMYCETES 
SACCHAROMYCETES. 
The P.\thogenic Higher Bacteria. 
Trichomycetcs. 
Leptothri.x. 
Cladothrix. 
Nocardia (Streptothrix). 
Actinomyces Bovis. 
Mycetoma (Madura Foot). 
Hyphomycetes. 
Eumycetes or Molds. 
SACCHAROMYCETES. 
THE PATHOGENIC HIGHER BACTERIA. 
Trichomycetes.— The Trichomycetes occupy a position intermediate 
between the true bacteria (Schizomycetes) and the molds (Hypho- 
mycetes), in the system of classification. Their method of reproduc- 
tion is more complex than that of the bacteria, but their cycle of 
development is simpler than that of the molds. The organisms 
usually grouped in the Trichomycetes are heterogeneous in their 
characteristics and there is a decided lack of agreement concerning 
the limitation of the several subdivisions of these microorganisms. 
Foulerton^ places all the members of the higher bacteria in one genus, 
Streptothrix, including the older genera, Leptothrix, Cladothrix, 
Streptothrix and Actinomyces. Wright- and others have not sub- 
scribed to this view and their evidence is impressive. Additional 
investigations are required before final judgment can be made.^ For the 
present the older grouping of the Trichomycetes, Leptothrix, Clado- 
thrix, Xocardia (Streptothrix), and Actinomyces will be adhered to. 
Leptothrix.— Leptothrices are frequently found in the mouth, so 
commonly indeed that Leptothrix buccalis is regarded as a regular 
inhabitant of the oral cavity.* Suppurative processes incited by this 
» AHbutt and RoUeston: System of Medicine, 1906, 2, Pt I, .302; British Med. Jour., 
1912, i, .300. 
2 Jour. Med. Research, 1905, 13, 349. 
' See Musgrave, Clegg and Polk (Philippine Jour. Sci., 1908, 3, 447) for very full 
bibliography and discussion: also Brumpt: Precis de Parasitologic, Paris, 191.3. 
* Scheff: Handb. d. Zahnheilkunde, 3d Aufl., 1909-1910. 
