110 MANUAL OF BACTERIOLOGY. 



the whole sterilized in a tube, as recommended by Warren 

 for collecting pus and other fluids for examination, and as in- 

 troduced by W. H. Park for the collection of material from 

 the throat in cases of suspected diphtheria (Fig. 83). 



The so-called Sternberg bulb* is valuable for the collection 

 of fluid materials for examination. A piece of glass tubing 

 is taken and drawn out to a long, fine tube, and a bulb blown 

 at the other end. To introduce the substance into the bulb, 

 the expanded end is heated in the flame; the point introduced 

 below the surface of the fluid which is to be collected; as the 

 bulb cools, the air in it contracts and draws the fluid into it. 

 When it has taken up as much as it will, the point may be sealed 

 off in the flame. If it is to sent to a distance and the same 

 precautions should be used by those performing the autopsy 

 to guard against becoming infected. The hands should be 

 protected with rubber gloves. It should be so packed that 

 breakage or leakage is impossible, particularly when infectious 

 material is to be transported. 



Concerning the transmission of materials containing bacteria 

 in the mails, the ruling of the post-office department of the 

 United States, March 2, 1900, is a follows: 



"That the order of the Postmaster General of December 27, 1897 (Order 

 No. 677), amendinng Order No. 88 of February 5, 1896, prescribing the condi- 

 tions under which specimens of "diseased tissues may be admitted to the mails 

 is hereby further modified in the following manner: 



"Specimens of diseased tissues may be admitted to the mail for transmission 

 to United States, State, or municipal laboratories, only when enclosed in mailing 

 packages constructed in accordance with the specifications hereinafter enu- 

 merated: Liquid cultures, or cultures of microorganisms in media that are 

 fluid at the ordinary temperature (below 45 C. or 1 13 F.) are unmailable. Such 

 specimens may be sent in media that remain solid at ordinary temperatures. 



"Upon the outside of every package shall be written or printed the words 

 'Specimen for Bacteriological Examination. This package to be treated as 

 letter mail.' No package containing diseased tissue shall be delivered to any 

 representative of any of said laboratories until a permit shall have first been issued 



*These bulbs were first recommended by Fliigge. Die Mikrooganismen. 

 i Auflage, p. 662. 1886. 



