BACILLI OF THE COLON. 
73 
a capsule. It is not a virulent organism, but has been 
known to be the cause of cystitis. 
The Bacilli of the Proteus Group. 
The members of this group are putrefactive bac¬ 
teria capable of breaking down complex proteids into 
simpler compounds. They are widely distributed, 
being found in water, soil, air, and wherever putre¬ 
faction is in progress. 
The chief member of the group is the Bacillus 
pro teas vulgaris , a large, thick bacillus that grows 
readily on the ordinary media. It is motile, but forms 
no spores. It liquefies gelatin in its growth and pro¬ 
duces a characteristic odor of putrefaction. It is not 
a very virulent organism. It occasionally causes peri¬ 
tonitis, endometritis, pyelonephritis, and enteritis. It 
has been described as the cause of several epidemics of 
meat poisoning. 
The Bacillus of Rhinoscleroma. 
This bacillus is a short, plump rod, in appearance 
and manner of growth almost identical with the 
Bacillus mucosus capsulatus. Infection with this 
micro-organism is located usually in the mucous mem¬ 
brane of the nose, mouth, pharynx, and larynx. It 
produces hard, nodular, inflammatory swellings. 
Under the microscope large, swollen cells are found in 
the tissue which contain the bacilli. 
