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MOUTH-BACTERIA AS EXCITERS OF FERMENTATION. Ill

completely torn to pieces, or a part of it even driven out of the
tube (Fig. 53). In some cases the pressure was even great enough
to burst the tube.
From this ^dolent evolution of gas the conclusion was drawn
that it was not a pure lactic acid fermentation, corresponding to
the equation C^Hi^Og = 20311^03, a conjecture
Fio. 53.
which was verified by the analysis, which revealed
the above-mentioned by-products, formic, acetic,
and butyric acids. During the fermentation of
half a liter of beef-extract-sugar solution I collected
two hunJred and fifty cubic centimeters of gas
(CO, and II) in three hours.
I would call especial attention to five different
gas-forming bacteria, which invariably form large
gas-bubbles in the gelatine or tear it to pieces, as
is represented in the figure. One ofthese bacteria,
which generates considerable quantities of gas also
in albuminous substances, I found in the human
feces as well as in a gangrenous tooth-pulp. Its
appearance in the latter place may help to explain
the frequent occurrence of dental abscesses. If a
tooth be tilled before remo\ing the necrotic pul})
and sterilizing the root-canals, the gas formed Avill
iovcQ itself through the foramen in the apex of the
root, or carry particles of the putrid pulp along
with it, causing irritation, if not immediate in-
Culture ok a
flammation, of the pericementum. Gas-fokmixg
Bacterium
It was formerly customary in such cases to liore FROM THE
into the tooth at the neck in order to " ventilate Stomach, in
Bread-Sugar
the nerve," that is, to permit the gases or other Gelatine.
products of putrefaction to escape. Several of One day old.
these bore-holes, which continually discharge pus,
stinking gases, etc., may sometimes be found in one mouth.
Of the other gas-forming bacteria I found three in the stomach
and one in the fseces ; and it may be readily seen what unpleasant
results might accompany their profuse development in the
stomach or intestines.
These results of my investigations, which I published in 1884