Page 110 - My FlipBook

84 THE MICRO-ORGANISMS OF THE HUMAN MOUTH.

exceptions, to state which of these bacteria occur most freqiienth'
in the mouth, or under what conditions the different kinds
develop best. Any one who makes an extensive series of culture
experiments will soon be overwhelmed with such a quantity of
material that it will be impossible for him to work it up with
the desired thoroughness. I have myself made the mistake,
which I think others have made, of attempting the impracticable

Variovs Forms of Bactkria i'hi>m the Moith.
a, c, g. Screw-forms; h. Cocci; d. Rods; e. Coccus-chain with sheath; (', Coccus-chain (Strep-
tococci) ; /, Rod-chains ; /(. Various thread-forms.

task of examining all the species which I have isolated, instead
of concentrating my attention upon individual cases and study-
ing them thoroughly. Consequently only general results have
been obtained, and the researches of different authors have
repeated, instead of complementing each other. Some confusion
therefore exists in our conceptions of mouth-bacteria, which can
only be cleared up by an enormous amount of labor.
With the exception of Cladothrix and Beggiatoa, all of the most
common species of bacteria have their representatives in the oral
cavity (Fig. 32).