Proteus

(pro'te-us) [G. Proteus, a sea-god who had the power to change his form.] i. A genus of protozoans, same as Amceba. 2. A specific name of several of the putrefactive bacilli. Proteus X 19, a short Gram-negative, slightly motile bacillus, which grows under aerobic conditions only; has been regarded as the specific organism in typhus fever.