The Microscope. 195 



the other micro-oi'ganism, I am inclined to think they are on the 

 outside of the pus cell. 



The best way to confirm the discovery of a micro-organism is 

 by cultivation and inoculation. This, of course, is not possible in 

 every case of urethritis. Another way is by a process of staining 

 which shall exclude every other micro-organism. Dr. Gabriel 

 Roux, ^ of Paris, says that if the preparation be first stained 

 according to Gram, - and then be examined, and then be decolorized 

 with alcohol and examined again, the gonococci will be seen stained 

 at the first examination, and will be imstained after decolorization 

 with alcohol. Allen ^ and Wendt heartily confirm this. So far, I 

 have not been doubtful in examining them myself, but as I have 

 only looked for the gonococci in cases where gonorrhoea was 

 undoubtedly present, my experience is of little value. 



This discovery is of importance, in so far as it is one step 

 nearer to our hope of classifying diseases in a scientific manner. 

 Practically, it is of decided interest, as changing the mode of 

 treatment, and thus cutting short the former length of the disease. 

 It has also explained why some cases of apparently cured gonor- 

 rhoea break out afresh from taking stimulants after all signs and 

 symptoms of the disease had disappeared. 



1010 North Charles St., Baltimore. 



MICROSCOPY FOR AMATEUR WORKERS. 



H. M. WHELPLEY, PH. G., 



Professor of Microscopy in the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. 



TN all civilized nations the physician is classified, by public opin- 

 -*- ion, among the leading members of the community in which he 

 lives. The profession that he follows is one that accomplishes much 

 for the general good of humanity and the advancement of collateral 

 sciences. 



When such facts are taken into consideration it is not surprising 

 to find that doctors were among the first who appreciated the value 

 of the microscope and made use of it in the interest of their profes- 

 sion. The exact period at which the microscope was introduced is 

 not known, but it probably dates back less than three hundred years. 

 We find that as early as 1608 the Italian philosopher Borelli made 



1 Le Concour's Medical, November 13th, 1886. 



- Gram's method consists in staining first witli methylene blue or violet, 

 fixing the color vrith a solution of iodine in the iodide of potash, and then decolorizing with 

 alcohol. 



2 "Journal of Cutaneous and Genito-Urinary Diseases," March, 1887. 



