HYPHOMYCETES 621 
latter observers named the causative organism Sporothrix (Sporo- 
trichon) schencki. 
Usually sporotrichosis runs a chronic course, characterized by 
small discrete nodules in the subcutis, which at first are hard and 
inelastic, indolent and resemble multiple disseminated gummata. The 
lesions progress slowly and after some time soften, break through the 
skin and discharge a slimy, serous, yellowish pus. The skin around 
the nodules is not usually greatly indurated and there is little pain, 
febrile reaction or constitutional disturbance. Not infrequently 
regional lymph channels become thickened with a few gumma-like 
nodules at irregular intervals, which break down and ulcerate. The 
lesions resemble syphilitic gummata, or, occasionally, tuberculous 
ulcerations. Rarely the disease may be acute with fever, emaciation 
and prostration and sporotrichic nodules form on mucous surfaces 
in the peritoneum, the lungs or kidney's. The Wassermann reaction 
is negative and neither Treponemata nor tubercle bacilli are found in 
uncomplicated cases. 
Fig. 93. — Sporothrix. 
The organism develops readily upon ordinary culture media which 
have an acid reaction. ]\Iaterial for inoculation is best obtained 
from a softened but unopened nodule. The colonies grow slowly as 
small plaques which develop into white fluffy masses that become 
bro\m after prolonged cultivation. Secondary transfers to artificial 
media develop much more rapidly. Many strains grow better at 
room than at body temperature.^ 
The organism as seen in the pus consists almost exclusively of 
oval spores measuring from 2 to 4 microns in diameter and from 3 to 
6 microns in length ; they are frequently collected in groups or masses 
of from .3 to 30 or more, at the ends of the filaments. They are Gram- 
positive. The mycelia are found in cultures as filaments about 2 
microns in diameter and from 20 to 40 microns long. 
' See article Die Sporotrichosen (Gougerot in Kolle and Wassermann Handh. il. patli. 
Mikroorganismen II Aufl., 1913, 5, 211) for full details. 
