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91
anterior surface of the kidney, and the abdominal aspect of the
diaphragm had small yellowish white nodules scattered over
their surface. The right kidney in Rabbit I. had a few small
nodules just below the surface.
With the exception of the last-mentioned organ all the
nodules observed were clearly deposited on the surface of the
respective organs. On microscopic examination it was found that
these nodules consisted mainly of various forms of bacterial life,
amongst which a mould mycelium and large spherical bodies were
especially noticeable. So far as could be determined these nodules
did not contain any animal tissue cells. And I am certain that
the nodules were the result of growth of bacteria or moulds on
the surface of the organs after death of the animals had occurred.
The culture experiments resulted in the isolation of various
saprophytic species from the nodules. Cultures made from the
heart blood of Rabbit II. resulted in the isolation of a saprophytic
bacillus and a sarcina.
Two rabbits were inoculated, one with a considerable quantity
of blood which was found in the heart of Rabbit II., the other with
emulsion made from one kidney of the same animal. The inoculated
animals were quite unaffected by the inoculation, and at the
present time—13 days after the inoculations—are apparently
quite well and healthy.
I was unable to find any lesions in either body which could
suggest that the imported rabbits had suffered from septicæmia;
and this conclusion is strongly supported by the fact that the
rabbits inoculated with the heart blood remained quite healthy.
I am of opinion that the appearances in the rabbits
submitted for examination are entirely due to contamination
after death, and subsequent growth of saprophytic organisms.
(Signed) ALEX. G. R. FOULERTON,
Director.
From this report it will be seen that there is scientific
evidence to show that our view that the rabbits were unsound but
not affected with infective disease is correct. It therefore seems
probable that the importer is not responsible for dispatching from
the Colonies diseased rabbits, but that the rabbits become unsound