Abstract
In a previous communication, 1 one of us (Harris) reported the production of experimental typhoid fever in the guinea pig by employing certain toxic substances of B. typhosus. These toxic materials were obtained by producing primarily a peritonitis by the injection of suspensions of B. typhosus. The exudate present in the peritoneal cavity was filtered through a Berkfeld letter N filter and the filtrate used for injections.
The object of the present work was to determine if products of the colon bacillus obtained in a similar manner as employed with B. typhosus, would produce the same results as manifested in the typhoid experiments. Cultures of B. coli communior were injected into the peritoneal cavity of guinea pigs. Fifteen pigs were employed. The exudate from the resultant peritonitis was diluted and filtered through a letter N Berkfeld filter, and the filtrate injected subcutaneously into a series of guinea pigs. A slight febrile rise was noted following the injections and the leucocytic count was slightly lowered. The animals received several injections and eventually died after 4 to 6 weeks. The post mortem examination of these animals showed but little changes macroscopically excepting in the lungs and kidneys. In the lungs, areas of marked congestion were seen and in the kidneys intense redness and swelling were noted. The spleen and other lymphoid structures of the peritoneal cavity demonstrated but little change. The lymphatic glands were in certain instances slightly enlarged. The Peyers patches did not reveal the changes as previously described for the typhoid filtrate.
The microscopic study of the various organs showed chiefly intense congestion of the blood vessels and degenerative changes of the parenchymatous structures. These findings were noted especially in the kidneys and lungs.
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