248 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Aug. 



together with the streptococcus pyogenes aureus in almost 

 pure cultures. The pneamococci are found in large 

 groups in almost every examination of this type ; and 

 last, but not least, we find that formidable ally strepto- 

 coccus pyogenes is very abundant. The significance of 

 the last named microbe may be inferred if we are to believe 

 that special virulence is added to other diseases by its 

 presence, notably in diphtheria. 



The bacteria are best prepared by the "Ziehl-Neelsen" 

 method of staining as for tubercle bacilli, using the 

 Loeffler methyl blue for back-groupd but giving a more 

 than usual exposure to the latter agent. 



The indications for treatment are antiseptics, elimin- 

 ants, anodynes, and tonics, with rest in bed. I am con- 

 vinced that the disease may be aborted in many cases if 

 seen early, by the following prescription : 



Quinia sulph grs. xx. 



Pulvis doveri -grs. xx. 



Pulvis capsici grs. iiss. 



Aconite Tine 5 minims. 



M. Ft. Pills No. X. Divide. Signa. Take three at once 

 on retiring at night (after taking a hot foot bath) ; take 

 one every two hours the next day. 



In the more advanced cases the treatment should begin 

 with a laxative, followed by salol in three to five grain 

 doses every three hours, preferably in a powder form. 

 This controls the fever, relieves the aching, and is a good 

 intestinal antiseptic. In the troublesome head pain relief 

 mav be obtained by spraying the nostrils with camenthol 

 10 per cent. Codeine acts well in suppressing inordi- 

 nate coughs, and good results have followed inhalations 

 of carbolic acid with a steam atomizer where the expec- 

 toration was very profuse. The mouth should be rinsed 

 frequently and the throat gargled with a warm solution 

 of formaldehyde 1 cup diluted one half with warm water, 



