THE BACILLUS AND THE BACTERIOLOGY OF TETANUS 233 



it possible, however, that both these bacilli, when characteristic in cul- 

 tures, are only varieties of the tetanus bacillus, which, under unfavor- 

 able conditions of growth, have lost their virulence. These non-virulent 

 types do not, as a rule, have spores absolutely at their ends, and the 

 spores themselves are usually more ovoid than those in the true tetanus 

 bacilli. 



METHODS OF EXAMINATION IN A CASE OF TETANUS, (a) Micro- 

 scopic. From every wound or point of suppuration film preparations 

 should be made and stained with the usual dyes. The typical spore- 

 bearing forms are looked for, but are usually not found. At the same 

 time other bacteria are noted if present. 



(6) Cultures. Bits of tissue, pus, cartridge wads, etc., are collected 

 and dropped into glucose bouillon contained in small flasks or tubes. 

 This bouillon should be slightly alkaline, be free from oxygen, and 

 protected from oxygen. A simple way is to cover the bouillon with 

 liquid or semisolid paraffin, and thus boil it. Cultures placed in such 

 protected bouillon grow readily. 



(c) Inoculation. Material from the wound is inoculated into mice 

 or guinea-pigs subcutaneously. 



