SCOURING IN CALVES. 
343 
X 1 
the “ bacterium lactis aerogenis,” is only present during milk 
diet; “ it has not been found in the meconium, nor after a 
flesh diet, and it is found principally in the upper portion of 
the intestinal tract.” As pointed out by Escherick, “ its vital 
activity in the intestine depends on the presence of milk- 
sugar, and its extension there corresponds with that of this 
substance.” 
Milk-sugar is completely absorbed in the stomach and 
small intestine, and is not found normally in the large intes¬ 
tine. At the time of milk digestion the “ bacterium lactis 
aerogenis ” is found in great quantity in the upper part of the 
small intestine, and in proportion to the absorption of milk- 
sugar it becomes scarce, diminishing in numbers ; in the colon 
and in the fasces comparatively few individuals of the species 
are found.” (Keating, p. 180). 
Baginsky has demonstrated by experiment that the “ bac¬ 
terium lactis asrogenis ” has an extremely active development, 
and when cultures are made along with other pathogenic 
bacteria in suitable culture media the “ bacterium lactis asro¬ 
genis ” grows so rapidly that it prevents and retards the 
growth of the other bacteria. 
These experiments led him to the opinion that the “ bac¬ 
terium,” if placed under favorable conditions, may prevent 
the growth of other pathogenic organisms in the intestine, 
and that in the acid fermentation of milk-sugar caused by the 
“ bacteria lactis asrogenis,” we have a remedy which serves 
in the infant’s organism to protect the intestinal wall from 
pathogenic bacteria. But when this fermentation exceeds a 
certain degree, which may happen in abnormal conditions of 
the intestine, it destroys the “bacterium lactis asrogenis,” 
and thus lays the foundation for pathogenic processes of 
various kinds.—(Keating, p. 185). For example, if from some 
temporary cause there is increased peristalsis or an intestinal 
catarrh, or if from any cause there is an interference with the 
normal process of digestion, the temporary trouble may be 
kept up and aggravated by the presence of the micro-organ¬ 
isms which have gained the ascendency through the destruc¬ 
tion of the normal bacterium. 
