CHAPTER III 



THE METHODS OF CULTIVATING, STAINING, AND 

 MOUNTING MICROBES, ETC. 



Cultivation Media. There are two forms of media 

 used in the cultivation of microbes one fluid ajid 

 the other solid. The fluid media were first used by 

 the French school, while the latter (i.e. the solid 

 media) were originated by Dr. E. Koch and his fol- 

 lowers. Both fluid and solid media have their own 

 special advantages, and both are now used in every 

 bacteriological laboratory. 



Of the fluid media, the first to be described is 

 bouillon (beef, pork, or chicken broth). This 

 medium is prepared in the following manner : one 

 pound of lean beef (pork or chicken) is minced by 

 passing it through an ordinary mincing or sausage 

 machine. The minced beef is thoroughly mixed 

 with lOOOcc. of distilled water, and the mixture 

 allowed to stand for twenty-four hours. It is again 

 thoroughly mixed, and then boiled for about an 

 hour. As the fluid is always more or less acid, it is ^ 

 necessary to render it neutral or slightly alkaline, 

 this being done by the addition of a solution of pure 

 sodium carbooate. The point at which the fluid 



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