PERSISTENCE OF INSPIRED BACTERIA IN THE LUNGS OF ALCOHOLIZED MICE

Abstract

1. When mice are exposed to an atmosphere containing certain bacteria in the form of a fine mist, the bacteria may be recovered from the deeper respiratory passages. 2. Pneumococci which have reached the lungs of normal mice as a result of this procedure usually disappear within a few hours and give rise to no generalized infection. In mice intoxicated with alcohol, on the other hand, pneumococci persist in the lungs for a longer period and fatal speticemia frequently follows. 3. Hemolytic streptococci and Bacillus influenzae generally persist in the lungs for about 24 hours. In intoxicated mice these organisms do not disappear so rapidly from the lungs and generalized infection is much more frequent. 4. The experiments yield no evidence as to how alcoholic intoxication renders the lungs more permeable to inspired bacteria.