Significance of Tubercle Bacilli in the Feces.

Rosenberger, in The American Journal of Medical Sciences, gives the following results of his investigations in fifty-seven cases:

1. No acid fast bacillus except the tubercle bacillus was found in the feces.
2. The presence of this organism in the feces means that there is active tuberculosis in some portion of the body.
3. In acute military tuberculosis the bacillus is always present in the feces.
4. In all cases of chronic diarrhea and in cases of general glandular involvement the feces should be examined for tubercle bacilli.
5. If tubercle bacilli are found in the feces it does not necessarily signify that there is intestinal ulceration in all cases.
6. In arrested or healed pulmonary tuberculosis no tubercle bacilli will be found in the sputum or feces.
7. The feces should be studied for tubercle bacilli as a part of routine examination, especially in cases in which no sputum can be obtained.—Med. Standard.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 2, 1908, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.