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72 THE MlCRO-0EGASISMS OF THE HUMAN MOUTH.
separate group with distinct characteristics, I propose the provis-
ional name of
LepfotJiri.r iiniominaia.
Leptothrix innoniinatu in this sense is found in the soft, white
deposit on the teeth (Leeuwenhoek's materia alba). It invar-
iably occurs in every mouth, but by no means always in the
same numbers. In one case it may be found in masses, in
another but very sparingly. If
Fig 19. v^ a portion of this white deposit
mixed with water be brought
under the microscope, we see
difterent sized heaps, apparently
consisting of small, round gran-
ules, from whose margins thin,
more or less zigzagged threads
project (Fig. 19). These gran-
ular masses form the so-called
" matrix of Leptothrix buc-
Group of Bacteria from the Udmax calis," and were formerly re-
Mouth.
garded as its spores ; they
a, Leptothrix innominata; ?<. Various Rod
and Cocuus-i'orms. are, however, partly micrococci,
which have no genetic connec-
tion with the threads, and partly only crossings of the threads
themselves. The length of the threads varies considerably ; they
are from 0.5 to 0.8/-< broad, twisted and tortuous, immotile, inar-
ticulated ; they generally show an irregular course, and often
appear degenerated, or even lifeless. Many shorter threads or
rods will also be found, that resemble fragments of the threads,
and may be regarded as such, or as younger cells.
If a small quantity of the white deposit is brought into a drop
of a solution of iodine in iodide of potassium slightly acidulated
with lactic acid, it will be observed (under about 350 diameters)
that the larger part of this substance, consisting of epithelium,
masses of micrococci, and diverse rod- and thread-shaped organ-
isms, assumes a faint yellowish or yellow color, as do also the
irregular projecting threads of Leptothrix innominata.
As a rule, however, we find also chains of cocci, either scat-
72 THE MlCRO-0EGASISMS OF THE HUMAN MOUTH.
separate group with distinct characteristics, I propose the provis-
ional name of
LepfotJiri.r iiniominaia.
Leptothrix innoniinatu in this sense is found in the soft, white
deposit on the teeth (Leeuwenhoek's materia alba). It invar-
iably occurs in every mouth, but by no means always in the
same numbers. In one case it may be found in masses, in
another but very sparingly. If
Fig 19. v^ a portion of this white deposit
mixed with water be brought
under the microscope, we see
difterent sized heaps, apparently
consisting of small, round gran-
ules, from whose margins thin,
more or less zigzagged threads
project (Fig. 19). These gran-
ular masses form the so-called
" matrix of Leptothrix buc-
Group of Bacteria from the Udmax calis," and were formerly re-
Mouth.
garded as its spores ; they
a, Leptothrix innominata; ?<. Various Rod
and Cocuus-i'orms. are, however, partly micrococci,
which have no genetic connec-
tion with the threads, and partly only crossings of the threads
themselves. The length of the threads varies considerably ; they
are from 0.5 to 0.8/-< broad, twisted and tortuous, immotile, inar-
ticulated ; they generally show an irregular course, and often
appear degenerated, or even lifeless. Many shorter threads or
rods will also be found, that resemble fragments of the threads,
and may be regarded as such, or as younger cells.
If a small quantity of the white deposit is brought into a drop
of a solution of iodine in iodide of potassium slightly acidulated
with lactic acid, it will be observed (under about 350 diameters)
that the larger part of this substance, consisting of epithelium,
masses of micrococci, and diverse rod- and thread-shaped organ-
isms, assumes a faint yellowish or yellow color, as do also the
irregular projecting threads of Leptothrix innominata.
As a rule, however, we find also chains of cocci, either scat-
