232 INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DISEASES. 



o 



tubes in which the serum is contaminated, is liquefied 

 or is dried up. Then replace the swab in its own tube, 

 plug both tubes, mark the culture tube with the name 

 of the patient for identification, and return both tubes 

 to the laboratory. Unsatisfactory cultures usually 

 result from failure to follow carefully 

 the above directions." Caution: In 

 making cultures, to insure a successful 

 result, no antiseptic must have been 

 used in the patient's throat for an hour 

 preceding the taking of the culture. 



In croup, a membrane is often 

 coughed up, which it is sometimes de- 

 sirable to have examined to determine 

 the nature of the infection, i.e., whether 

 diphtheria is present or not; in such 

 cases it is especially important that the 

 specimen be not placed in any preserv- 

 ing fluid or disinfectant, since such 

 solutions destroy the very agents which 

 it is aimed to find. 



Vomiting is a feature in 

 Vomit. local diseases of the stom- 

 ach ; in affections of neigh- 

 boring organs (heart, liver) ; it also occurs at the onset 

 and during the progress of the infectious diseases. 

 The points to be observed in vomiting are the time, color, 

 odor, quantity, and ingredients. 



Fig. 28. — Needles 

 used for inoculating 

 media. 



