1899] MICilOSCOPICAL JOTTRNAL. S3 



What shall we say in regard to practical bacteriology 

 for the physician? In modern clinical diagnosis and the 

 application of pathological methods, microscopy and bac- 

 teriology are so intimately associated as to be insepara- 

 ble. In the physician's laboratory the microscope and 

 culture tube go together. If we expect to keep abreast 

 of the times and to give our patients the benefit of 

 modern medical science, we must be able at least to solve 

 the ordinary clinical problems of the laboratory. Our 

 microscope must be a modern instrument to be used 

 alongside the clinical thermometer and the stethoscope. 

 It is as necessary in general practice as are aseptic pro- 

 cedures in surgical practice. 



The prevailing opinion that the necessary laboratory 

 apparatus are intricate and expensive is an error. A 

 laboratory can be furnished in a simple and inexpensive 

 manner, and the essential laboratory equipment, like the 

 essential knowledge of its manipulation, may be gradu- 

 ally acquired. The items of expense are not an obstacle, 

 for any ingenious mind may devise and a skilful hand 

 construct, most of the necessities. Aside from a good 

 microscope stand and good objectives, a microtome, hem- 

 atocrit and centrifuge are desirable and the incubator, 

 sterilizer, and water bath are indispensable. A sharp 

 razor, a cork, and a little paraffin, answer the purpose for 

 a modest beginner until he is able to afford a hand or 

 machine microtome. 



For a centrifuge the tubes may be purchased for a trifle 

 and their adjustment to a rapid rotating apparatus can 

 be improvised. If one can command a small electric 

 motor, it is an improvement over a hand apparatus. The 

 Arnold steam sterilizer is a cheap and efficient device and 

 may also be used for sterilizing surgical instruments. If 

 this is not attainable, one may use an ordinary Hoffman's 

 iron water bath, and upon it place a copper pail with per- 

 forated bottom, and an inside rack for holding the tubes. 



