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VITAL MANIFESTATIONS OF BACTERIA. ^ 31
upon the general state of health, and whether the alkaloids which
doubtless form in putrid pulps have any irritating [action upon
the peridental tissues. The fact, established by Odenthal, that
glandular swellings in the region of the lower jaw occur espe-
ciall}' as concomitants of dental caries, seems to justify the
assumption that the resorption of the putrefactive products
attending the decomposition of a tooth-pulp is an important
agent in the above-named disturbance.
E. Oxidation of Akoliol to Acetic Add.
The exciting cause of acetic acid fermentation, the vinegar
fungus (Mycoderma aceti), usually appears in the form of cocci,
or diplococci, either singly or in chains (Fig. 7). According to
Hansen,^ Zopf, and others, it also grows in rod and leptothrix
forms. The formation of very long chains and so-called invo-
luted forms is specially characteristic of the vinegar fungus
(Fig. 7, a). It grows best at 30° to 35° C,
and forms a coverino; or pellicle on the sur- ^'g. 7
face of fermenting liquids, which attains a 00===' ^^
thickness of 50 to 100 mm. The cells of this J^
c
funo'us transfer the oxyo;en of the air to the „c^ ^
* * G^ f O
. .
medium, and thus possess the specific faculty ^
to acetic aci^d ; C.H^, OH + 0, = CH3, COOH \ -° o^o f
y^
-{- HjO. The fermentation takes place most c° ^ CJ^
rapidly when a minute quantity of acetic
r^^^
acid (1 to is already present. ^ ^''^ ,
^ 2 per cent.) ' J ir Bactericm of Acetic
More than 10 per cent, prevents the continu- acid Fermentation
ance of the fermentation ; under 10= C. and ^rinroiTuon forms!'
over 35° C. the formation of acetic acid
ceases. The deficiency of alcohol and the high temperature
render the occurrence of the specific acetous fermentation in the
mouth highly improbable.
An oxidation of alcohol to acetic acid also occurs in a certain
degree when alcohol is exposed to the air on large surfaces
(wood shavings) ; also when the oxygen is transferred to the
alcohol by means of sponge platinum. For obvious reasons this
process does not occur in the niouth.
