MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND NOMENCLATURE OF LEPTOSPIRA (SPIROCHÆTA) ICTEROHÆMORRHAGIÆ (INADA AND IDO)

Abstract

The present study deals with the morphology and systematic position of the causative agent of infectious jaundice. There are several features which are not found in any of the hitherto known genera of Spirochætoidea which led me to give this organism an independent generic name, Leptospira, denoting the peculiar minute elementary spirals running throughout the body. The absence of a definite terminal flagellum or any flagella, and the remarkable flexibility of the terminal or caudal portion of the organism are other distinguishing features. Unlike all other so called spirochetes the present organism resists the destructive action of 10 per cent saponin.