R Kudo 
239 
and it is evident that the mere mechanical effect of this foreign material in the tubules must 
have led to an obstruction of the secretory functions of the organ, and as a remote result, 
to the ascites and general oedema. Undoubtedly, the presence of large numbers of bacteria 
in the already overburdened kidney was potent in hastening the fatal termination; but these 
vegetable microorganisms must bo regarded as the elements of a secondary infection. It is 
not difficult to conceive that the diseased kidney, with its damaged secretory function, would 
furnish an inviting focus for bacterial invasion; and particularly since the route from the 
exterior is such a direct one in these animals in which the urinary secretions empty into a 
cloaca. 
Whinery (1913) collected ‘“about a dozen 5 ' B. lentiginosus, and kept 
them in a sink. The toads died in confinement within three weeks. Two 
males and five females were examined, one male and four females being 
found to be infected. About the condition of the toads, he remarked as 
follows: 
Before death no external change in appearance of the animals was noticed, with the 
exception of a distension of the abdomen in some cases. Opening the abdominal wall, some 
increase in the amount of peritoneal fluid was usually noticed, but never a large amount in 
the toad examined and described by Dr Ohlmacher. The abdominal viscera showed signs of 
congestion. The kidneys were enlarged and in a congested state. The intestines were usually 
distended with gas. 
In R. clamitans and R. pipiens infected by L. ohlmacheri, I could not 
recognize any difference either in external appearance or in activity between 
uninfected and infected animals. No marked difference in the quantity of 
coelomic fluid in healthy and infected animals was noticed. The internal 
organs of different individuals were carefully compared, but no definite data 
could be obtained regarding the possible effect of the infection upon the organs. 
The kidneys of infected frogs seemed to be slightly larger than those 
of the uninfected, and they were usually greatly congested. In the case of 
R. clamitans , this could not be explained merely as a result of the Myxosporidian 
infection, because trypanosomes were found in almost every host in far 
greater number in the blood vessels of the kidneys than in those of other 
organs. The congested condition of the kidneys observed in some of the in¬ 
fected R. pipiens was, however, probably due to the Myxosporidian infection, 
because few trypanosomes were present in this species. 
The examination of sections revealed but little disturbance in the secretory 
function of the kidney, since the parasites do not seem to invade the tissue, 
but simply lie in the lumina of the uriniferous tubules probably absorbing the 
fluid waste matter secreted by the host cells. A parasite will be tolerated for 
a long time provided that it does not greatly harm its host. 
SUMMARY. 
1. Rana clamitans of New York and R. pipiens from the middle part of 
the United States, were found to be infected by a Myxosporidian, apparently 
identical with Leptotheca ohlmacheri (Gurley) Labbe, found by Ohlmacher in 
the kidney of Bufo lentiginosus. 
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