The following case of septic peritonitis is of interest as it was proved to have resulted from infection with Bacillus coli, and as infection of the peritoneum with the colon bacillus, through the uterus, is somewhat rare. The material from this case was referred to this laboratory by Paul Reed, M.D., Nov. 7, 1912, with the following history:
History.
—Woman, aged 35, married, had a child, aged 4 months, and had menstruated atypically since delivery. She was ill for two days with severe pain in pelvis. Examination on third day showed no fever present but a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and severe pain in pelvis. Next morning the patient had all signs of general peritonitis which rapidly grew worse. She died during the morning of the next day (fifth day after onset).The patient denied any attempt at abortion either by herself or by any one else. Her husband admitted that