Diagnostik der Bakterien des Wassers

Abstract

THIS is, we believe, the first attempt made to gather together in a compact form the various descriptions of bacteria which from time to time have been isolated from water by different observers. In those cases where the water investigator is concerned only with the number of microbes present in any given water, the task of mere enumeration is such that, however anxious to do so, it is almost impossible to take an intelligent interest in the nature of the microbes present, beyond a superficial glance at their more striking characteristics. But even this is sufficient to indicate what numbers of different kinds of microbes are present in water, whilst on a closer examination the list of varieties is very much more extended. Having regard to their superficial differences, then, Lustig, following the example set by Eisenberg in his “Bakteriologische Diagnostik,” has mapped out two classes of microbes—those which liquefy and those which do not liquefy the gelatine—which are again divided up into micrococci and bacilli respectively. The tabulated account appended to each micro-organism includes its microscopic appearance, behaviour in gelatine-plate and tube-cultures, on agar-agarani potatoes, relationship to pathogenic properties, temperature, together with other special tests which have from time to time been employed, as well as the authority for its discovery in water. In addition to the above classification, those bacteria which are known to be pathogenic to man and animals respectively are separately grouped, whilst those bacilli resembling the typhoid bacillus are brought together for purposes of comparison. The latter should prove a useful assistance in the separate diagnosis of the typhoid bacillus, for as it is by no means specially characteristic either in its macroscopic or microscopic appearances. there are many forms which may readily be mistaken for it on an ordinary water-plate.

Diagnostik der Bakterien des Wassers.

Von Dr. Alexander Lustig. Zweite sehr vermehrte Auflage. 128 pp. (Jena: Gustav Fischer, 1893.)