176 ESSENTIALS OF BACTERIOLOGY 



Pathogenesis. 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 pro- 

 duced 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 

 found 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. 



Bacterins (Vaccines). A number of vaccines have been pre- 

 pared in recent years for the treatment of gonorrhea and its 

 complications. The bacterins are made as described under 

 Bacterins. This method of treatment is still on trial. The 

 best results have been obtained in gonorrheal rheumatism 

 and epididymitis. 



Toxins. True toxins not found, but the cells contain poi- 

 sons that produce suppuration and death when injected into 

 the mice and guinea-pigs. 



Allied Varieties. A number of diplococci which resemble 

 the gonococcus in form are found in the vaginal secretions 

 and pus and may at times lead to a wrong diagnosis. The 

 meningococcus is very similar, but is easily cultivated and is 

 not apt to be found in the same secretions as the gonococcus. 



Micrococcus citreus, albicans, and subflavus, described by 

 Bumm, are all Gram positive and grow readily on gelatin and 

 agar. 



The gonococcus is distinguished from all these similar micro- 

 cocci by the tests enumerated above. 



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 



