BLOOD CULTURE. 269 



from the bile tubes instead of inoculating the bouillon tubes. Con- 

 tamination with staphylococci or the presence of staphylococci, 

 streptococci or plague bacilli in septicaemic conditions show easily 

 accessible colonies. 



Schotmuller adds i to 3 c.c. of blood to liquefied agar at 45 

 C., and after mixing pours into plates. The standard method for- 

 merly was to add the blood to an excess of bouillon (i to 5 c.c. of blood 

 to 100 c.c. or more of bouillon). By using the bile media, we can take 

 the blood from the ear in typhoid cases, if preferred. Then if chance 

 staphylococcic contamination occurs, such colonies are readily differen- 

 tiated from typhoid ones by the pink color on lactose litmus agar. In 

 culturing blood in septicaemic conditions, the blood should always be 

 drawn from the vein. 



Typhoid cultures are best obtained in the first week of the disease, 

 after that time the Widal is the test of preference. 



If a paratyphoid serum is not at hand for testing, it may suffice to 

 inoculate a glucose bouillon tube; gas production indicates para- 

 typhoid. This test should be applied when a very motile organism does 

 not show agglutination with a known typhoid serum. Anthrax and 

 glanders should be considered in blood cultures. 



In Malta fever it must be remembered that colonies do not show 

 themselves for several days. Addition of blood to melted agar is a 

 good procedure. 



The examination of the blood for the parasites of malaria, filariases, 

 kala-azar and spirillum fevers has been discussed under their respective 

 headings. 



Trypanosomes from human trypanosomiasis have not as yet been 

 cultured, and smears from gland juice or cerebrospinal fluid, seem 

 more satisfactorv to examine than blood smears. 



