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36 THE MICBO-OROANISMS OF THE HUMAN MOUTH.

accompanied by the development of COj, H, IsT, SHg, PH3, CH^,
NH3. In cellulose fermentations COj, H, and CH^, in alcohol
fermentations CO2 and H are produced.
The formation of gas occasions manifold disorders in the human
stomach and intestinal tract. In putrefying pulps it is the fre-
quent cause of periostitis and abscess formation, since the gases
generated force their way through the apical foramen or even
carry particles of the putrid pulp along with them, thereby
causing a severe irritation of the pericementum.

4. Saprogenic Bacteria (Bacteria of Putrefaction).
This term has been applied to such bacteria as are endowed
with intense putrefactive properties. They occur among the
saprophytes, as well as among the parasites. Alany pathogenic
bacteria possess saprogenic properties ; thus, for example. Bacil-
lus saprogenes (I, II, III), Bacillus pyogenes foetidus, Brieger
bacillus, etc. The cause of putrefaction lies in the faculty pos-
sessed by many, if not by most, bacteria, of decomposing albu-
minous substances in such a manner as to give rise to character-
istic products of decomposition. (See Putrefaction, page 27.)