Further studies on intestinal implantation of bacillus acidophilus

Abstract

The more recent observations on transformation of the intestinal flora in man have fully confirmed the earlier conclusions, which are briefly summed up as follows. The daily administration of 150-300 grams of lactose or dextrin to adults will, with few exceptions, bring about a marked change in the character of the flora in which the usual mixed types of bacteria give way to Bacillus acidophilus of Moro, which is a normal intestinal organism, but which is present in the intestine after early infancy in relatively small numbers only. In some instances 350-400 grams of the carbohydrates are required. The same results may be brought about with 150-300 cubic centimeters of a whey broth culture of B. acidophilus and with 500-1,000 c.c. of B. acidophilus milk, as well as with smaller amounts of the milk in combination with 100 grams of either lactose or dextrin.

Particular attention is being given to the preparation of B. acidophilus milk which is uniform from day to day in its physical and chemical properties. Experience thus far has shown that such a product may be obtained easily when certain conditions are carried out. In the first place, the stock strains, preferably mixed strains, must be grown sufficiently long in milk to bring about light curdling within a period of 24 hours. When such strains are once developed they should remain viable for many months at least. We are still employing the strains which were first used for this purpose eight months ago, and are unable as yet to detect any signs of deterioration. The character of the soft curd is very much influenced by the quality of the milk at the time of sterilization preliminary to inoculation.