1 70 ESSENTIALS OF BACTERIOLOGY 



All the similar bacteria being easily cultivated. 



These characteristics, taken in toto, form sufficient features 

 for its ready recognition, and as it is often a serious question to 

 decide, not so much because of the patient's health as because 

 of his character, we should be very careful not to pronounce a 

 verdict until we have tested the microorganism as above. When 

 the germ is found which answers to the above description, the 

 process can be called specific without a doubt. 



Protective Vaccines in Pus Infections. Wright has used 

 the opsonic treatment in infections due to pus-forming organ- 

 isms with most marked success. 



Autovaccines are made by using cultures of the lesion. An 

 agar slant is obtained, and the growth washed in normal salt 

 solution and killed by steam. The dead bacteria in a cubic 

 centimeter, computed according to Wright's method (which 

 see), and known quantities of bacteria from 250,000,000 to 

 500,000,000 dead cells are injected into the patient. 



The opsonic index is first estimated, and then measured 

 every few days, giving the injection during the positive phase. 

 If autovaccines cannot be prepared, laboratory cultures of 

 mixed germs can be used. In boils, acne pustules, gonococcus 

 infections, and Bacillus coli abscesses good results have been 

 reported. 



Bacillus of Tetanus (Nicolaier-Kitasato) . Origin. 

 Nicolaier found this bacillus in the pus of a wound in one 

 who had died of tetanus, describing it in 1884. 



Kitasato isolated and cultivated this germ (1889). 



Form. A very delicate, slender rod, somewhat longer than 

 the bacillus of mouse septicemia, which is the smallest bacillus 

 known. 



When the spores form, a small swelling occurs at the end 

 where the spore lies, giving it a drum-stick shape. 



Properties. Not very motile, though distinctly so; liquefies 

 gelatin slowly. The cultures give rise to a foul-smelling gas. 



Growth. Develops very slowly, best at brood-heat (36 to 38 

 C.) , and only when all oxygen is excluded an obligatory anaero- 

 bin. In an atmosphere of carbon dioxid gas it cannot grow, 

 but in hydrogen it flourishes. 



