ISOLATION OF ANAEROBES 465 



represented, inoculate a series of guinea-pigs with antitoxic or 

 antibacterial sera of the groups probably represented on the 

 smears, in such a manner that for each type of organism there is 

 a guinea-pig immunized against the other types only. Then in- 

 oculate the mixed material into all the guinea-pigs. This method 

 was found successful by the Committee. In large war hospitals 

 collections of guinea-pigs immunized by bacterial inoculation 

 have been kept for diagnostic purposes. 



It is best to inoculate guinea-pigs in the thigh muscles. Take 

 cultures from various points in the body. The heart-blood cul- 

 ture is usually the most valuable. Oedematiens-group organisms 

 and some other pathogens do not always become septicemic, 

 however. Bifermentans-group organisms and other proteolytic 

 types may become septicemic. Inoculate into another guinea- 

 pig a culture from the heart-blood in smaller quantity than was 

 used before. If this fails, isolate the proteolytic organism, 

 immunize a guinea-pig with it, then inoculate the mixture. For 

 all animal work keep a careful record of the cultures inoculated, 

 incubation periods, lesions in the animals, and, above all, make 

 constant use of the microscope. 



Anaerobic organisms should be sought in the following patho- 

 logical conditions: 



Infected wounds (rods or cocci). 



Gangrene. 



Oedema. 



Emphysema of muscles, connective- tissue, liver or other organs. 



Haemorrhagic condition of muscles. 



Pneumonic processes where anaerobic infection is suspected, pulmonary 

 gangrene. 



Necrosis of muscle or connective tissue {B. necrophorus et alii). 



Injection of serous surfaces, especially in ruminants. 



Abortion in animals (search foetus for Bad. abortum). 



Endometritis, post abortum or post partum {Streptococcus). 



Appendicitis and various ulcerative and suppurative conditions. 



Tetanus (in absence of wounds and uterine infection, search for peri- 

 dental infection). 



Botulism, intestinal content and wall, liver, spleen, stools from patients. 



