TECHNIQUE. 131 



SPUTUM. 



Specimens to be examined for tubercle bacilli 

 should be collected in a clean, wide-mouthed bottle that 

 can be tightly corked to prevent leakage. Sputum to 

 be examined for other kinds of bacteria should be col- 

 lected in a bottle plugged with cotton and previously 

 sterilized. If the outside of the bottle has been soiled 

 with the sputum, it should be washed off with a 5 per 

 cent, solution of carbolic acid. 



FECES. 



The stool may be passed directly into a sterile 

 fruit- jar or into a sterile bed-pan, and then transferred 

 to the jar. The specimen may be transferred either by 

 pouring or by means of sterile forceps or a wooden 

 spatula. 



BLOOD FOR WIDAL REACTION. 



The blood is obtained best by pricking the lobe of 

 the ear with a needle having a cutting edge. The skin 

 should be cleansed with alcohol, and the needle must 

 be sterile. The best way to collect the blood is in a 

 capillary glass tube by placing one end of the tube in 

 the drop of blood and lowering the other end enough 

 to allow the blood to flow in easily until the tube is 

 one-half full. If a capillary tube is not at hand, the 

 blood may be collected on a glass slide or on glazed 

 paper like a calling card. Two or three drops are 

 enough. 



