CHAPTER XXI 



THE GONOCOCCUS 



THE micrococcus of gonorrhea was discovered by 

 Neisser in 1879. It is a small coccus, occurring in pairs 

 (diplococcus). The two organisms which form the pair 

 are flattened on their adjacent sides, which gives to the 

 organism somewhat the appearance of a coffee bean. 

 When stained by Gram's method the gonococcus is 



Fig. 37. Gonococci in urethral pus (McFarland). 



decolorized, i. e., it is "Gram-negative." It can- only 

 with difficulty be grown on artificial media, but thrives 

 fairly well on glucose agar to which either blood or 

 ascitic fluid has been added. Quick drying destroys it, 

 and it cannot resist a temperature of 45 C. more than a 

 few minutes. But in thick smears, on linen, etc., it 

 has been found alive after a lapse of seven weeks. 



115 



