A CASE OF GENERAL GASEOUS EMPHYSEMA WITH GAS CYSTS IN THE BRAIN FORMED AFTER DEATH AND DUE TO BACILLUS MUCOSUS CAPSULATUS, WITH A CONSIDERATION OF THE GAS-PRODUCING PROPERTIES OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP IN THE CADAVERS OF ANIMALS.
In the case reported in this article there was septicaemia with special localization of the microorganisms in the brain, with gas cysts of the brain and general gaseous emphysema due to Bacillus mucosus capsulatus (aërogenes group). The bacillus isolated from the organs of this case, as well as other members of the aërogenic group of Bacillus mucosus capsulatus can cause general gaseous emphysema in the cadavers of rabbits, either with or without the intravenous injection of sugar before the animal is killed, the gas, however, being most abundant and rapidly formed in the former case. It is not impossible that some of the published cases of gaseous emphysema in which a bacteriological examination was not made, may have been due to members of the Bacillus mucosus capsulatus group.
Pathological Laboratory of Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland, O.
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Howard