MICROCOCCUS GONORRHOEJE. 297 



Micrococcus intracellularis of Weichselbaum, isolated 

 from the sero-purulent fluid of the spinal canal in cases 

 of epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis, is microscopically 

 also strikingly like the gonococcus as it is seen in pus ; 

 but, unlike the latter organism, may be cultivated by 

 the ordinary methods. 



SUMMAEY OF DISTINGUISHING PECULIARITIES. 



Since gonorrhoeal discharges may be contaminated with 

 pyogenic cocci other than those causing the specific 

 inflammation, it is important in efforts to isolate this 

 organism that the differential tests be borne in mind 

 and put into practice. The gonococcus is differentiated 

 from the commoner pyogenic organisms by the following 

 peculiarities. 



First, it is practically always seen in the form of 

 diplococci, the pair of individual cells having the 

 appearance of two hemispheres, with the diameters 

 opposed, and separated from one another by a narrow, 

 colorless slit. (Is this the case with micrococcus aureus 

 or streptococcus pyogenes ?) 



Second, in gonorrhoeal pus it is practically always to 

 be found within the protoplasmic bodies of pus-cells. 

 (How does this compare with the conditions found in 

 ordinary pus ?) 



Third, it stains readily with the ordinary staining- 

 reagents, but loses its color when treated by the method of 

 Gram. (Treat a cover-slip from ordinary pus by this 

 method and note the result.) 



Fourth, it does not develop upon any of the ordinary 

 media used in the laboratory ; while the common pus- 

 organisms, with perhaps the exception of the strepto- 

 cocci, are vigorous growers and are not markedly fas- 

 tidious as to their nutritive medium. 



