1 68 CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY AND H^MATOLOGY 



ism of the epidermis. It is a coccus which very frequently 

 occurs as a contamination in cultures, and, as a consequence, 

 has been accused of causing an abundance of diseases; includ- 

 ing cancer. 



Gone cocci. When these are found in the urine it is neces- 

 sary to consider whether they come from the bladder or 

 urethra.. .To do so it usually suffices to see whether they 

 occui* in all parts of the urine, and not simply in the first por- 

 tions, which wash the pus from the urethra. 



A caution is necessary in the diagnosis of gonorrhoeal 

 cystitis, as some cases of inflammation of the bladder (with 

 acid urine) are due to an organism closely resembling the 

 gonococcus, but a little larger and more variable in size : I 

 believe it to be M. catarrhalis. In cases where gonorrhoeal 

 cystitis is suspected make a culture on ordinary agar or on 

 blood-serum. The diplococcus in question grows readily, the 

 gonococcus does not. 



Typhoid Bacilli and Other Organisms of the Group. These 

 are rare causes of cystitis, but are commonly found in the urine 

 during and after an attack of typhoid fever. When they 

 produce cystitis the urine remains acid. 



The method for their recognition is given in the article on 

 typhoid fever. 



BACTERIURIA, or BACILLURIA, is a term which should be re- 

 stricted to the escape of bacteria in the urine without the 

 presence of pus and without clinical evidence of cystitis, 

 pyelitis, etc. B. coli is the most common organism causing 

 this condition. 



The disease may be diagnosed when a urine which contains 

 numerous bacteria is found on several occasions to be free 

 from pus. 



THE COLLECTION OF FLUIDS FROM SEROUS 

 CAVITIES 



A bacteriological examination of the inflammatory exudates 

 which collect in the various cavities of the body often yields 

 important information as to the nature of the morbid pro- 

 cess, suggests treatment, and influences our views as to the 

 prognosis of the condition. This is especially the case with 



