Abstract
Experiments of this kind have been carried out on groups of four human subjects by Rahe, 1 and by Rettger and Cheplin. 2 Because of its importance, 12 psychotic subjects showing on repeated fecal examination no acidophilus-bulgaricus type of colony were fed 3 strains of L. bulgaricus milk for 14 days, after a preliminary observation period of 14 days. L. bulgaricus was not recovered from the feces, except in one instance.
After an interval of 14 days, L. acidophilus milk was fed for 14 days. The constipated cases were greatly benefited, and the non-constipated cases also had a greater number of normal defecations. L. acidophilus was recovered from the feces of all subjects. In three cases the per cent was 99-100, and in all cases but one, it was over 67.
Subsequently, some cases continued to show marked improvement over their original condition, while others showed a tendency to revert to it. Seven days after discontinuing treatment, there were no L. acidophilus present in the feces.
It is thus clearly established that L. acidophilus differs from L. bulgaricus in its ability to live in the gastro-intestinal tract. In a further inquiry into the nature of the activity of L. acidophilus, 3 we are studying the enzymes of this organism, and have good reason to believe that they differ from those of L. bulgaricus. Another interesting chemical problem being considered is the stereoisomerism of the lactic acid produced by these Lactobacilli.
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