82 BACTERIOLOGY 



Subsequent treatment of the organisms with a suitable inhibitor 

 is necessary when possible, and should growth occur in the cul- 

 tures following, the test-organism should be recognized in order 

 that possible contamination by extraneous organisms may be 

 excluded. 



In determining the value of germicides for sterilizing ligatures, 

 the students can apply methods based on the foregoing principles. 

 Great care and ingenuity are necessary to arrive at correct con- 

 clusions, particularly in the case of animal tendons. In many 

 instances quite stable compounds are formed between tendon 

 and germicide, and living organisms may be so imbedded in such 

 a substance that subsequent growth in a test-culture is impossible. 

 The use of a suitable inhibitor, and, prior to final culture-tests, 

 a prolonged soaking in sterile water, will promote the accuracy 

 of the results. 



