326 BACTERIOLOGICAL NOTES, 



5 p.m. watery solution of corrosive sublimate, whereupon the spot 

 was carefully rinsed with a sterile 0*6 p. c. watery solution of sodium- 

 chloride. The tubercle was then cut open through its whole mass 

 by means of a sterilised scalpel. The blood which appeared first 

 was rejected, but subsequently samples were taken from the 

 bottom of the wound by means of a platinum-loop, and at once 

 transferred on or into the culture-material. 



(i) June 6, 1887. The material was supplied by a Chinaman 

 who suffered from characteristic tuberous leprosy. Samples of 

 blood from a rather large nodule on the right hand were transferred 

 to half-a-dozen test-tubes on to the inclined surface of coagulated 

 human hydrothorax fluid, which had been obtained from the Little 

 Bay Hospital some time previously. Besides, one tube containing 

 such fluid not coagulated, was charged with some of the leprosy- 

 blood. 



I will mention at once that the subsequent microscopical exam- 

 ination of cover-glass preparations of this blood showed only a very 

 limited number of leprosy-bacilli. 



A corresponding experiment was made with a small tubercle on 

 the left hand of the same leper. Samples of blood taken from 

 it served for sowing an equal number of tubes as before. This 

 blood, as was afterwards proved by the microscopical examination^ 

 contained an enormous quantity of leprosy-bacilli. 



On my return to Sydney, but not until the following day, all 

 the tubes were placed in a thermostat, where they remained, at a 

 temperature of 36° C. to about 34° C, for about two months. 

 During this time they were occasionally inspected, but the result 

 of the experiment was negative, in so far as I was unable to trace 

 any multiplication of the bacilli. 



(ii) November 21, 1887. Two Chinamen were selected, one of 

 them being the same as above, the other having been brought to 

 the Asylum since my last visit there. In each case a typical 



