1 68 ESSENTIALS OF BACTERIOLOGY 



solution of eosin, and heated for a few minutes over the flame. 

 The excess of the dye is removed with filter-paper, then the 

 cover-glass placed in concentrated methylene-blue (alcoholic 

 solution) for fifteen seconds, and rinsed in water. 



The gonococci are dark blue, the protoplasm of the cell pink, 

 and the nucleus a light blue, the gonococci lying in the proto- 

 plasm next to the nucleus (Fig. 101). 



Other bacteria are similar to the gonococci in form; they are 

 distinguished from the gonococcus in that they are positive 

 with Gram's method, whereas the micrococcus of gonorrhea is 

 not. The points on which the diagnosis is to be made are the 

 characteristic biscuit shape, the intracellular position of the 

 organism, and its failure to stain with Gram. 



Patho genesis. The attempts to infect the experiment ani- 

 mals with gonorrhea have so far been without success. In 

 man, upon a healthy urethra, a specific urethritis was produced 

 with even the twentieth generation of the culture. Gonorrheal 

 ophthalmia contains the cocci in great numbers, and endocarditis 

 and gonorrheal rheumatism are said to be caused by the cocci. 



The micrococci have been found long after the acute attack, 

 when only a very slight oozing remained, and the same were 

 very virulent. 



The specific inflammations of the generative organs of the 

 female are due to this organism gaining entrance through the 

 vagina. It is found chiefly in the superficial layers of the 

 mucous membrane. 



A temperature of 40 C. for twelve hours destroys the 

 gonococci. 



Gonotoxin. A toxin has been isolated which causes fever, 

 loss of weight, and finally death . The urethra is not immunized 

 by repeated injections. In man the toxin causes painful 

 indurations, lasting several days. 



Similar Bacteria Found in the Urethra and Vagina. 

 Micrococcus Citreus Conglomerata (Bumm) .Similar to 

 the gonococci in form, they are, however, easily cultivated, and 

 form yellow colonies which dissolve the gelatin and grow rap- 

 idly; the surface of the gelatin is at first moist and shiny, but 



