Microbes and You 



W 



Fig. 20. Electrun micrograph of Diplocucciis pneumoniae. Type I. 

 The capsules are swollen as a result of exposure to Type I antiserum. 

 (From Mudd, S., Heinmets, F., and Anderson, T. F. The Journal of 

 Experimental Medicine, 194S, 78, 327-332.) 



Capsules are of more than just passing interest to bacteriologists. 

 They have played an important role in medicine particularly with 

 respect to pneumococcus pneumonia. Before the advent of the 

 sulfa drugs and the more recent antibiotics, it was necessary for a 

 physician to know which of the many ( seventy-five or more ) types 

 of pneumonia a patient was suffering from before antiserum could 

 be administered. Type III pneumococcus infections were par- 



