ANTHRAX. 69 



arranged in chains. Examine the Gram specimens and 

 see whether the bacilli are to be seen in them also. 



INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS. 



If the case is really one of malignant pustule the 

 chances are very greatly in favour of your finding the 

 bacilli in large numbers, and the failure to do so tells 

 strongly against a positive diagnosis. 



Cultural methods. The fluid for examination is taken 

 in exactly the same way as that described above, but 

 the isolation of the organisms will be greatly facilitated 

 if antiseptic methods are employed to prevent con- 

 tamination with skin bacteria. To this end the surface 

 of the lesion should be washed gently with carbolic or 

 perchloride lotion and then (very thoroughly) with 

 alcohol or methylated spirit to remove the antiseptic. 

 The surface is then allowed to dry. 



If the material is to be transmitted to a public 

 laboratory for examination (and this is the wisest course 

 to adopt) the fluid must be carefully sucked up into the 

 bulb and both ends of the pipette carefully sealed. 



If the examination is to be made at home the best 

 way is to make two inoculations in gelatine. The first 

 should be a stab culture and may be made with the 

 pipette direct ; or the fluid may be blown out into a 

 watch-glass or on to the surface of a slide (in either 

 case sterilised by being heated in the flame and then 

 allowed to cool) and the stab made by dipping the end 

 of a straight platinum needle into the fluid and then 

 driving it into the gelatin. 



The other culture is made with the pipette ; this is 

 driven into the gelatin in a tube and the contents blown 



