ABSTRACT
407
B coli and staphylococci were chosen since these organisms were the most frequent organisms to be
isolated from human post-mortem material. Strains of other organisms injected in overwhelmingly
large quantities, produced only negative results even though special opportunity, increased temperature,
etc., was given to aid the invasion. The failure of staphylococci to invade within five hours, in contrast
to the invasion of B. coli within the same period, illustrated the difference in growth response of different
kinds of bacteria in the environment. The experiments showed that the organisms found in the
bronchi and lungs reach there from the mouth through the trachea. Anaerobic spore forming bacillus,
e.g., Cl. Welchii, has been shown to be capable of penetrating the mucosal lining of the intestine, and
the isolation of this organism indicates the intestines to be the probable source, whereas the aerobic
cocci and B. coli failed to invade the intact membranes of the respiratory and intestinal tracts.
(2) In the second article data have been presented to show (a) that the lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen
and heart blood gave frequency of growths in the order named, (b) that B. coli and staphylococci,
streptococci nonhaemolylicus and Cl. Welchii are the most frequently isolated strains, while the other
types isolated are generally associated with disease processes in the body.
Further information as to the principles governing the multiplication of bacteria in the tissues after
death, such as autolytic and PII changes, are promised in a subsequent paper. [S. D.]
Histological changes in the Central nervous system following equine encephalo-
myelitis. (With two plates) LARSELL, O., HARRING, C. N., and MEYER K. F.
Am. J. Path. 10, 361-373. (1934).
The brain and spinal cord of 8 horses, infected with encephalo-myelitis virus by contact or by
experimental inoculation were studied histologically, and the most constant lesion was found to be
perivascular cuffs containing lyphocytes, polymorphs and monocytes. Nerve cells in the neighbourhood
of blood vessels showed more extensive degeneration than elsewhere, suggesting that the virus is
conveyed in the vessels or along their sheaths. Experimentally infected guinea pigs and virus-affected
human beings also showed the perivascular infiltration. Of the controls, however, three horses, which
succumbed to sepsis, and another which was destroyed, failed to show the perivascular re-action.
The virus infected animals revealed inclusions in numerous nerve cells. In an apparently normal
horse of 12 years of age, and in 3 others that died of sepsis, the cell inclusions were present in small
numbers only. The author therefore concludes that in any case the pathological effect of encephalo-
myelitis appears to have increased the number of cell inclusions. The technique employed has been
described in detail. [S. D.].
The chemistry and pharmacology of Lathyrus peas. STOCKMAN, R. J. Hyg.
34, 145-153. (1934).
Previous work showed that the symptoms of lathyrism in man and animals are due to salts
of an acid contained in the peas, independently of any deficiency condition. Detailed account of the
chemistry of the peas, and of the toxic actions of organic and inorganic salts prepared from them are
now given. The results given in this article have a wide and general bearing since the toxic principle,
acid salts of phytic acid, have been recovered from all cereal and leguminous seeds.
The general conclusion is that when given orally the poisonous organic phosphates contained in
the peas are resolved by the bacterial flora of the bowels into the much less toxic inorganic alkaline
phosphates. When the animal's system fails to dispose effectively of further quantities, toxic effects