The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-09-25
MALARIA Germs
.LABORA10RYGROW
Dr.. c. G. Bass, Of Tulane University,
Makes Valuable Addition to
Scientific knowledge.
PARASITES LIVE On BLOOD

The nrst malaria producing parasites
yet grown outside Of the human body
were put on exhibition yesterday at
the Exposition Hall of the Information
al Congress on Hygiene and Demog-
raphy. at Seventeenth and B Streets
Northwest. The laboratory cultiva-
ton of this parasite has hitherto al
ways been regarded as an impossible
ity by scientists for the reason that
the creature Is an intra-cellular" or
ganism; and the announcement that
experiments to this end had been sue
cessful was SO startling that the Hy-
giene Congress section on microbiol-
ogy and parasitology adjourned its
session and padded In a body through
the mud and pelting rain from their
convention hall in the Pan-American
Building to the exposition hall of the
congress in order to see the demon
stration. Some $50 members Of the
section made the excursion.
In the large lecture-room Of the ex-
hibition han the scientists were ad-
dressed by DR.. C. c. Bass, Of the med
ical department Of Tulane University:
New Orleans. La. who discovered the
means for cultivating the malaria par
asites artificially. DR.. Bass lecture
was illustrated with microphotograph-
tc lantern slides. His disclosures pro-
duced sensation. as no previous ink
ling of the successful outcome Of his
work had ever been made public or de-
scribed in any way. After DR.. Bass
lecture the scientists inspected a SER
les Of some twenty-five lantern slides
placed under as many microscopes in
order to show the organism at all
stages Of its growth Commencing to-
day, these specimens are open to the
inspection Of the general public. as
part Of the general free exhibition on
hygiene and demography, at the ex-
position hall.
The species Of parasite shown are those
known as the aestivo-autumnal, which
produce the famous "Chagres fever
the most malignant form of malaria
known.
Fed on Live Blood.
His original specimens were obtained
from infected blood which he placed in
a centrifuge that separated the blood
contents according to their specific
gravity. The serum, being highest in
density, was driven to the top OF the
test tube by the action of the centrifuge:
the healthy blood cells. being heaviest,
went to the bottom, while the infected
blood cells were massed in the middle.
The infected cells were then lifted out
by means OF platinum wire and their
cultivation began.
In order to keep the parasite alive It
had to be fed on live blood cells. and
in supplying them with this food DIR.
Bass performed the remarkable feat Of
maintaining life in the blood outside Of
the human body. As the fluid was drawn
off into the test tube 1t was defibrinated
to prevent coagulation and treated with
one-half Of l per cent of dextrose. or
common grape sugar. Then. with every
laboratory precaution against other in
fiction than that Of the malarial variety,
1t was fed to the malaria parasite at
exactly blood temperature. and until the
blood was entirely consumed Il was
maintained at practically the same de-
gree of vitality which II would have
showed II still circulating through the
veins of a living man.