Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1905-06-16
The Municipal Laboratory, And Its
Uses.


Within the past few years various
municipal governments have established
we'll equipped archaeological labrato-
ries, where physicians may take advan-
tage Of the aid afforded by the many
modern scientific diagnOstic tests.
Among the most useful Of these may
be mentioned the bacterial test for
diphtheria.
1t is hardly necessary to remind you
that many fibrinous as we'll as other
mhammations Of the throat and air
passages, are due to the presence Of a
specific germ called the diphtheria bacil-
lus. This bacillus may be easily recog-
nized when present in the inhamed res
piratory tract by means of a very sim
pie method. This method Is based up
on the fact that when the germs Of
diphtheria Is placed upon the slanted
surface Of cOagulated blood serum,
within sterile test tube, that a rapid
reproduction Of the Organism takes
place, even to the exclusion of other
bacteria II present.
Paper boxes containing sterile cot
ton swab, and tube of corgulated serum
are placed at various points convenient
to physicians. In case Of suspected
diphtheria, the cotton swab is gently
rubbed over the surface of the inhamed
portions of the throat and tonsils, and
this swab containing the secretions Of
the throat, is then smeared over the
surface of the inAamed portions of the
throat and tonsils, and this swab con-
tanning the secreiions Of the throat, is
then smeared over the surface of the
blood serum. The tubes are then re
turned to the laboratory and placed h.
an incubator maintained at the temper
ature of the human body (about S6 deg
rees C,) and are allowed TO grow for
for twelve hours. AZ the end Of this
time, if the bacillus oil diphtheria be
present, it makes its appearance or
the surface Of the serum as numerous
yellow, small, elevated dots, or a more
diffuse, homogeneous growth, consist
ing Of many thousands of individual
bacteria. These collections are called
colonies. A small portion Of one Of
these colonies is then transferred to
glass needle, and spread OH large
area by means Of dilution in drop of
water. After drying, the specimen is
stained by means OF an aniline called
Loefflers Methylene blue, and the slide,
containing the bacteria, is theE ready
for microscopical examination. The
bacillus of diphtheria can be easily rec.
ognized if present, owing to its charac-
teristic staining properties. This or
ganization will only take up the stain
at either end Of its body, while all Of
the other bacteria present will stain
throughout their entire extent. The
diphtheria germ, therefore, stands out
as a light blue rod with club shaped
ends, and can always be differentiated
from any other bacterium present.
At times, however, in normal throats,
there exists a germ called the pseudo
diphtheria bacillus. This differes from
the true diphtheria bacillus in possess
ing pointed ends, in staining regularly,
and in its failure to kill Guinea pigs
after incubation. After growth for
"a hours in this medium it may be alb
solutely distinguished from the real or
ganism by It's failure to produce sn
acid in a solution of sugar In beef tea.
The diphtheria germ causes the produc-
ton of an acid, which can readily be
discovered by simply placing a small
drop of fluid on piece Of blue itmus
paper. The latter will Of course turn
red in the presence OF the acld, ana re-
main unchanged by the fluid culture of
the pseodo- diphtheria bacillus. This
organism can usually be easily distin.
guished from It's more dangerous cous-
in by its regular staining, and pointed
ends, and no further experiments are
necessary.
Thus the physician is enabled to secure
an accurate diagnosis l2 hours after his
first visit. This, is not only useful in
regard TO the treatment OF doubtful
cases, but II Is also Of value in ford
ing a means Of isOlating cases of diph-
iberia until the throat Is free from
germs, and all danger Of injecting the
surrounding community Is over.
A number Of observers have pointed
out the. fact that diphtheria il often
a