THE BACTERIA OF THE NORMAL HUMAN BODY. 163 



secretion of the vagina has a bactericidal influence which may 

 be attributed in part to its acidity, this does not seem to be ef- 

 fective at all times. The upper part of the normal cervix uteri 

 is sterile, while bacteria are present in the lower part. 



McDonald* quotes from Bumm and Sigwart to show that streptococcus is 

 present in the secretions from the uterus in 38 per cent, of cases in women during 

 the latter stages of pregnancy, and that they further more state the belief that 

 this organism is present in 75 per cent, in such cases. That of the cases showing 

 the presence of streptococci, 24 per cent, had fever. She agrees with the authors 

 cited that the presence of streptococcus is not sufficient grounds for a diagnosis of 

 puerperal infection. The futility and harmfulness of curettment in cases of 

 general infection is evident. 



According to Doderlein, the properties of the vaginal secretion are due to 

 bacilli which very commonly occur in it. The secretion is most abundant and 

 important during pregnancy, f 



The smegma of the external genitals contains numerous 

 bacteria, among which are frequently found bacilli which re- 

 tain their color after treatment with acids in the Gabbett 

 method for staining tubercle bacilli. It is uncertain whether 

 these bacilli form a special group of organisms by themselves, 

 having as one of their properties the power of retaining the stain 

 after acids, or whether they are bacilli of no particular sort, 

 which resist acids after staining owing to the oily material with 

 which they have been impregnated in this peculiar secretion. 

 These organisms must be taken into account in examining 

 urine or other secretions for tubercle bacilli, for particles of 

 smegma might be accidentally present. Usually the employ- 

 ment of alcohol after the acid will remove the color from the 

 smegma bacilli (Hueppe). Sometimes smegma bacilli are as 

 resistant as tubercle bacilli to decolorizing agents (Welch) (see 

 page 34). Similar acid-proof bacilli occur about the genitals 

 of the domestic animals.! 



*Reprint from A merican M edicine. Vol. XI., No. 7. Feb. 17, 1906, pp. 231- 

 238. 



tj. W. Williams. Obstetrics. A Text-book, etc. 1908. Wadsworth. 

 American Journal of Obstetrics. Vol. XLIII. 1901. 



|Cowie. Journal Experimental Medicine. Vol.' V., p. 205. 



