Nat. Hist. Pl. bacilli. [late L. (in Isidore), ‘little rod,’ dim. of baculus, variant of baculum rod, stick.] A genus of Schizomycetæ, microscopic vegetable organisms of the lowest grade among what were once called Infusoria. Separated from Bacterium, with which it agrees in its rod-like form, and characterized by its larger size and mode of reproduction. First described by Müller ante 1850; recently brought into note by the discovery of some of the species in the diseased tissues in Anthrax, and in Phthisis and other tubercular diseases.
1883. H. J. Slack, in Knowledge, 1 June, 322/1. Dr. B. Yeo estimates these bacilli as from a quarter to half a blood corpuscle in length.
1884. Lankester in Pall Mall Gaz., 6 Oct., 2/2. The bacillus found in the lungs and expectorations of phthisical patients.
