Diplococcus pneumoniæ of Fränkel. (Karg and Schmorl.)
D. The Micrococcus Tetragenus.
—Suppurations produced by these organisms are prolonged, mild in character, not painful, but accompanied by much brawny induration of tissues.
E. The Micrococcus GonorrhϾ.
—The micrococcus gonorrhœæ, or gonococcus, is found constantly in the pus of true gonorrhea, in many cases the pus being a pure culture of this organism. These cocci are generally seen in pairs (biscuit-shaped), while their inclusion within the leukocytes or their attachment in or to epithelial cells is characteristic. Unlike other pyogenic cocci, they do not stain by Gram’s method, being decolorized by iodine, by which fact they may be distinguished. They are cultivated with difficulty, and are known rather by their clinical effects than by their laboratory characteristics; are human parasites, other animals, so far as known, being practically immune. The gonococcus may also produce abscesses, and may be carried to distant parts of the body, where its effects are commonly noted as pyarthrosis, although endocarditis, pericarditis, pleurisy, etc., are known to be due to it, and fatal pyemia has been produced in consequence. In some way it is probably the explanation of the post gonorrheal arthritis, wrongly spoken of as gonorrheal rheumatism.
F. The Bacillus Coli Communis or Colon Bacillus.
—This is an inhabitant of the intestinal canal; varies extremely in virulence and somewhat in morphological appearances; coagulates milk; is often associated with other organisms; migrates easily both along the alimentary canal and from it into the surrounding tissues or channels. It is a disturbing element in the production of kidney and hepatic disease, also in the production of appendicitis and peritonitis. Ordinarily its pyogenic properties are not virulent; occasionally, however, it becomes extremely virulent.
G. The Bacillus Pyocyaneus.
—The bacillus pyocyaneus, a widely distributed organism, often observed in the skin and outside of the body; a motile, liquefying bacillus, growing at ordinary temperatures, seldom seen alone, but occasionally producing pus without association with other organisms; it stains the discharges and dressings a bluish-green and imparts sometimes an offensive odor. Suppuration caused by this bacillus is usually prolonged, but characterized by little constitutional disturbance.