My aim in writing this Thesis is to draw attention to the
fact that the Bacillus Coli Communis is found in the urine more
frequently than has hitherto been supposed, and its presence
there is indicative of a pathological state of the body.
As more is known and studied it will no doubt be possible to
describe an infection of the Bacillus Coli Communis as a definite
clinical entity, and many diseases described to -day under se- carate
headings may one day be described as a stage or phase of a Bacilli
Coli Septicaemia or Toxemia, Acute or Chronic.
The Bacillus Coli Communis is found in the urine either in
pure culture or in association with one or more organisms, but is
predominant. In the latter mixed infections it is difficult to
judge whether the pathogeneity of the Bacillus Coli Communis is
increased or diminished when so associated. One feels that evidence
points to an increase of virulence when so associated.
In many cases of:-
(1) Nephritis, or Bright' s Disease in various forms, the
Bacillus Coli Communis is so frequently found that one thinks that
at a subsequent date we may regard Nephritis as describing one
of the stages of a chronic Bacillus Coli Communis infection.
(2) Pyelo-nephritis one regards as being almost invariably
associated with Bacillus Coli Communis, with also presence of
Calculi.
(3) Even in Tuberculosis of the Genito -Urinary Tract this
organism is so frequently found associated that one ventures to
wonder which had the priority. Did the Bacillus Coli Communis
by its presence and toxins produce the necessary stage to permit
of the second invasion by the Tubercle Bacillus?
(4) Attention will also be drawn to cases ap arently not
associated with any clinical symptoms of Genito-Urinary diseases
other than.the presence of the Bacillus Coli Communis in the urine
as evidenced by (a) Generalised infections, (b) Toxemia as seen
in the Eye Cases quoted.
One proposition will be maintained, i.e. that the presence of
the Bacillus Coli Communis is indicative of a pathological state,
and that in normal healthy individuals there should not be any
micro-organisms present in the urine.
The majority of the cases quoted are of a specific genitourinary
infection
