The Action of Diphtheria and Diphtheria-like Bacilli on Various Sugars and Carbo-hydrates

Abstract

The experiments here recorded are not sufficiently numerous to justify any decided opinions as to the value of the tests with these various substances in differentiating certain bacilli which very closely resemble the diphtheria bacillus. They show, however, that most of the diphtheria-like organisms tested produce less acid than the diphtheria bacillus. Hofmann's bacillus and a diphtheria-like bacillus from the normal ear can be easily differentiated, since they from no acid. Any bacillus which acts on mannite or saccharose could also be easily differentiated.