14 LA BORA TOR Y ME THODS OF UNI TED S TA TES ARMY 



sterile swab sticks. The specimen feces can be taken up 

 with a swab stick and inserted into the test-tubes, upon which 

 are labels to be used for the name, rank and organization 

 of the subject. 



URINE. 



Specimens of urine for bacteriological examination or 

 animal inoculation must be collected under aseptic condi- 

 tions. Catheterization should be resorted to and no disin- 

 fectant should be added. Specimens to be examined for 

 organisms of the typhoid-paratyphoid group should be 

 forwarded in bile medium. Each specimen of urine (except 

 for typhoid) must be accompanied by requests, in duplicate, 

 on Form 55m, M. D. 



USE OF DIPHTHERIA CULTURE TUBES. 



Good illumination of the throat is essential. Remove the 

 swab from its container, and while depressing the tongue, 

 pass swab into pharynx, avoiding contact with tongue or 

 other parts of mouth, and rub firmly, but gently, over any 

 visible membrane, or if no membrane is present, over the 

 tonsils and pharynx. Withdraw swab and rub it over the 

 whole surface of the Loeffler serum medium, being careful 

 that the portion of the swab previously in contact with the 

 membrane comes in contact with the medium. The inocula- 

 tion of the medium should be thorough, but the surface of the 

 medium must not be broken. 



Replug the culture tube, return the swab to its container, 

 pack securely in cotton, and mail to the officer in charge of 

 the laboratory. 



The culture tube must be plainly labelled with the name, 

 rank and organization of the patient and the station from 

 which the culture is sent. The nature of the examination 

 desired "for diphtheria" must also be shown. Requests, 

 in duplicate, on Form 55u must accompany each culture. 



