E. Kindle 
467 
the result of plasmolysis, one or more irregular swellings are formed 
along the length of the parasite (Fig. 3 a-e). 
Some of these degeneration forms are very peculiar and have given 
rise to the belief in the existence of male, female and indifferent forms, 
which still exists among certain authors. One form of degeneration 
that is particularly common is the production of a large round cyst-like 
body about the middle {a-d), or at one of the extremities of the spiro- 
chaete (e). This is the result of the cell membrane of the parasite 
becoming swollen out like a bubble, as a result of the pressure of the 
contents. These forms have been repeatedly described as “ cysts,” but 
they are merely one of the results of plasmolysis. 
Fig. 3 a-f. Degeneration forms, showing the production of 
large cyst-like bodies. 
The examination of stained preparations has not added much to the 
information derived from a study of the living parasites. In most cases 
the films were fixed in osmic acid vapour, then hardened in absolute 
alcohol and stained either with Giemsa, or one of its modifications. 
Some films were fixed in Flemming’s solution, or in sublimate alcohol 
and then stained with Heidenhain, or safranin and methylene blue 
(Hindle, 1909), the films never being allowed to dry. These latter 
preparations were of use as confirmatory evidence of the results obtained 
by a study of dried films. 
The examination of the spirochaetes, no matter what method of 
staining was employed, has not revealed the existence of any differen¬ 
tiation in the contents of the cell. Neither chromatic granules nor 
anything even suggesting a nucleus can be seen and the whole 
