312 MICROCOCCUS MELITENSIS 



non-specific serum (55) and the organism should be made at the 

 same time and incubated in the same manner, for experience has 

 shown that the serum of normal individuals may agglutinate Micro- 

 coccus melitensis in moderately high dilution. Wright has immunized 

 horses with repeated injections of Micrococcus melitensis. The blood 

 serum agglutinated the organism in high dilution; it was claimed by 

 him that the serum possessed curative value, the chief phenomena 

 following its administration being a fall in temperature and a shorten- 

 ing of the course of the disease. This is still debatable. 



Bacteriological Diagnosis. A. Blood, 1 urine, milk, or material from 

 splenic puncture is plated out as outlined above. The organisms are 

 agglutinated with a serum of high potency. 



B. The blood of the patient should be examined in high dilution 

 (100) for specific agglutinins. 



Dissemination and Prophylaxis. The organisms leave the body 

 through the milk or urine. Pasteurization of the milk and disinfection 

 of the urine of infected animals is the best prophylaxis. It should 

 be remembered that the organisms can enter the body through 

 cutaneous wounds. 



1 The organisms are not always present in the blood of patients in demonstrable 

 numbers; a negative culture is not conclusive. 



