SUPPURATION. 167 



upon the medium. The main growth is surrounded by a 

 thin veil-like extension which gradually fades away into 

 the medium. A slight growth occurs upon the water of 

 condensation. 



The gonococci may also be cultivated upon acid gela- 

 tin, as pointed out by Turro, upon gelatin containing 

 acid urine, and also in acid urine itself, where the gono- 

 cocci grow near the surface, while the pus-cocci which 

 may be mixed with them sink deeper into the medium. 



It is ordinarily presumed that gonorrhea cannot be 

 communicated to animals, but Turro asserts that the 

 gonococci when grown upon acid gelatin readily com- 

 municate urethritis to dogs, and that no Iczsio continui 

 is necessary, the simple introduction of the organisms 

 into the meatus sufficing to produce the disease. 



That the gonococcus causes gonorrhea there is no room 

 to doubt. It is constantly present in the disease, and 

 very frequently also in the sequelae endometritis, salpin- 

 gitis, oophoritis, cystitis, peritonitis, arthritis, conjuncti- 

 vitis, etc. and, so far as can at present be determined, is 

 never found under normal conditions. 



In the beginning of their activities the cocci grow in 

 the superficial epithelial cells, but soon penetrate between 

 the cells to the deeper layers, where they continue their 

 irritation as the superficial cells desquamate. Authorities 

 differ as to whether the gonococci can penetrate squamous 

 and columnar epithelium with equal facility. 



The peri ure thral abscesses that occur in the course of 

 gonorrhea are generally due to the Staphylococci aureus 

 and albus, not directly to the gonococcus. 



As long as the gonococci persist the patient may spread 

 contagion. It must be pointed out that after apparent 

 recovery from the disease the cocci sometimes remain 

 latent in the urethra, and set up a relapse if the patient 

 partake of some substance, as alcohol, irritating to the 

 mucous membranes. Bearing this in mind, patients 

 should not too soon be discharged as cured. 



The gonococci are not easily killed, but withstand dry- 



