Lactose-Fermenting Bacteria in Faeces

Abstract

The following experiments were begun with the object of ascertaining the distribution in nature of certain lactose-fermenting organisms which are by some grouped under the name Bacillus coli, but by others are regarded as belonging to a different class of organisms; a difference of opinion which is most probably the principal factor in causing the value of B. coli as an index of pollution to be such a vexed question among bacteriologists. The investigation, however, resolved itself into a search for the B. lactis aerogenes principally, and secondarily for the other lactose fermenters. Incidentally certain other points are referred to which it was thought might prove of interest though not actually pertaining to the subject of the paper.