Studies on the nature of bacillus acidophilus therapy

1. In order to study the influence of physical and chemical factors, B. acidophilus milk was centrifuged and run through a Mandler diatomaceous filter. Thus the chemical constituents were little altered. When fed to constipated patients it was practically without effect. Regular B. acidophilus milk ingested subsequently resulted in an increase in the number of normal defecations.

2. B. acidophilus milk was sterilized and lactic acid added, thus again approximating the original chemical composition. When fed to constipated patients, little change was noted. Regular B. acidophilus milk ingested subsequently resulted in an increase in the number of normal defecations.

3. These data indicate that B. acidophilus therapy is essentially bacteriological rather than physical or chemical in nature.