On the curative effect of carbonic acid gas or other forms of carbon in cholera, for different forms of fever, and other diseases / by C.J. Lewis.

  • Lewis, C. J. (Charles James), 1875-1937.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: On the curative effect of carbonic acid gas or other forms of carbon in cholera, for different forms of fever, and other diseases / by C.J. Lewis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of a ^el■y distinct pellicle on the surface. The pellicle is a wrinkled mem- bianons layer composed of spirilla and comma bacilli, and it is evident at o / C.eyen in twenty- onr hours. The cholera-red reaction is easily obtaiiiable m broth cnltures and consists in the development of a iiink or^red colour to ^°sulphuric acid. The reaction is due to the formation of indol and of a nitrite in the ]ieptone broth ; the sulphuric acid hheiates nitrous acid by acting on the nitrite, and the nitrous acid with indol gives the pink colour known as the nitroso-indol reaction produce indol, but few coincidently produce nitrite' so that the reaction with sulphuric acid alone is a valuable test for the cholera spirilliinn The source of the indol is the albumin peptone present in the bioth, and the nitrite is believed to be derived from the reduction ot nitrates also present in the broth. Milk forms an admirable medium, and, if it be coloured with litmus, slight acid production may be observed to accompany the growth of the organism. The original Vibrio cholera described by Koch did not coagulate milk, and most cultures do not do so; but Elexner states that recently cultures obtained from cholera patients have at times caused coagulation. In contradiction to the views of Hesse, who claimed that uncooked milk destroyed the Vibrio cholerae in twelve hours, Basenau says that up to the point of coagulation these organisms increase in number, and that even after the niilk becomes acid they are present in an active state. The difference of opinion is doubtless due to the other organisms present, and is dependent upon the particular varieties in the milk. Metschnikoff has shown that, while sarcina and torula favour the de- \'elopment of comma bacilli, the Bacillus pyocyaneus prevents its growth. The same observer holds that the bacteria of the digestive tract influence the susceptibility of man to the cholera organism. It seems probable that the Bacillus coli communis favours the growth of Vibrio cholerte in certain media, though the same organism has the very opposite effect on Bacillus typhosus. Wiener states that the Bacillus coli helps the growth of the cholera organism in gelatine plates, and that animals inoculated with both organisms die more quickly than when inoculated with cholera alone. Animals are not very susceptible to the virus of cholera in the ordinary way by the mouth or subcutaneous injection. It is, however, pathogenic to guinea-pigs when introduced into the intestine by pharyngeal catheter after neutralisation of the stomach contents with carbonate of soda, and after the injection of opium in large doses to check peristalsis. Also it is pathogenic to rabbits and mice when injected in large quantities into the abdominal cavity. Lately Wiener has succeeded in producing general infection of young cats by administration of cholera vibrios by the mouth, and this notwithstanding the acid reaction of the gastric contents. In sterilised river or well water the organism multiplies to some extent and preserves its vitality for several months; but if the same water be unsterilised, the vibrio only lives a few days, usually not more than a week. The organism is easily killed by heat, a few minutes at 60° C., or higher, sufficing to kill it. It is also but feebly resistant to chemical disinfectants. Desiccation quickly destroys the organism if the drying be thorough, but in the moist condition the bacillus may retain its vitality for considerable periods. Since the experiments to be recotinted deal with the viability of the cholera bacillus in carbonic acid gas and in charcoal, it may be noted here that Dunham has fixed its viability under a variety of conditions as follows:—On agar, 1-2 years according to the temperature; hccal matter, 6 days, and urine, 5 days (stale urine and sewage, only 24 in