METHOD OF EXAMINING CULTURES. 29 



there was an excellent growth and the diagnosis was 

 made with certainty. 



Lastly, the author has heard of a practitioner who 

 was in the habit of incubating cultures at the body 

 temperature by carrying them in an inner pocket during 

 the day and taking them to bed with him at night ! 



METHOD OF EXAMINING CULTURES. 



Requisites. i. Clean slides and cover-glasses. (These 

 must be the thinnest in ordinary use, i.c., No. i). 



2. A platinum needle. (Straight or loop). 



3. A Bunsen's burner or a spirit lamp with a tall 

 flame. 



4. The stain to be employed (see p. 37). 



5. Canada balsam dissolved in xylol. This should 

 be bought ready for use. 



6. A pair of dissecting forceps. 



7. Strips of white blotting- or filter-paper. 



Process. i. Sterilise the needle and place a small drop 

 of water (preferably distilled; in the centre of a clean 

 slide. 



The disadvantage of using tap-water arises from the 

 fact that it leaves a deposit of salts when it has dried, 

 and these salts make the film " dirty." The amount of 

 distilled water required is very small, and sufficient can 

 be obtained by holding a cold tumbler or saucer in the 

 steam from a kettle. 



2. Take the culture-tube in the left hand between the 

 index and middle fingers with its mouth directed to the 

 right and (in the case of a culture on a solid medium) 

 slightly downward. 



