and Laboratory Methods. 1793 



ELEMENTARY MEDICAL MICRO-TECHNIQUE. 



For Physicians and Others Interested in the Microscope. 



Copyrighted. 



V— BACILLUS OF INFLUENZA. 



Influenza, popularly called " The Grip," is an important epidemic disease. 

 The bacillus of influenza is a very small non spore forming bacillus. It occurs 

 singly and in pairs, and occasionally several 

 pairs are placed end to end. It is found 

 in the secretions from the nose and in the 

 sputum of infected persons. With the 

 platinum loop spread a minute quantity of 

 the nasal secretion on a clean cover-glass 

 held in a Cornet forceps. Make a second 

 cover preparation in the same way from the 

 sputum. Dry the covers in the air and 

 pass them three times, film side up, through 

 the flame of an alcohol lamp or Bunsen 

 burner. Stain five minutes with carbol 

 fuchsin diluted with an equal portion of 

 water, wash in water, dry between pieces ^tll^^'^^r'^u ^iZ^^^'S: 

 of filter paper and mount, film side down, ^^^ ^^Jt:^,:^^:^::^^^l; 

 in a drop of balsam on a clean slip. 



EXAMINATION OF MILK. 



Milk is very susceptible to contamination at the time of milking or in the 

 subsequent handling. It may also be filled with pathological bacteria from the 

 animal furnishing it. To examine a sample microscopically, mix a platinum loop 

 full of milk with an equal quantity of distilled water on a clean cover, held in a 

 Cornet forceps. Dry over a gentle heat, holding the cover in the fingers. Stain 

 with the following solution of methyl blue, applied on the cover : 



Saturated alcoholic solution of methyl blue - gtts. 15 

 Chloroform ------- 4 c. c. 



Drain off surplus stain and wave the cover back and forth in the air until all of 

 the chloroform has evaporated, then wash in water, dry and mount, film side 

 down, in a drop of balsam on a clean slip. 



When the bacillus of tuberculosis is suspected, proceed as follows : Fill the 

 two tubes of a centrifuge with the milk and rotate the instrument at a high speed 

 for five minutes. Decant the fluid from the sediment. Take a large platinum 

 loop full of the sediment and mix it thoroughly on a clean cover-glass held with 

 a Cornet forceps in twice the quantity of 1 per cent, aqueous solution of sodium 

 carbonate. Heat carefully over a small flame till dry. This method saponifies 

 the fat and leaves a thin film of soap over the cover. Apply a liberal quantity 

 of carbol fuchsin, heat till it steams and after five minutes counter stain and 



