21 



heated streptococci. A diminution of opsonin in persons subject to at- 

 tacks of furunculosis, sycosis, etc., has also been observed by Wright and 

 Dong-las. 



During the course of this work I had an opportunity to study a 

 case of acute purulent rhinitis, in the discharge of which streptococci 

 were found in pure culture. 



Patient. A man 27 years of age. During the first two days the 

 discharge was clear and watery and contained very many streptococci in 

 short chains and in diplococci. Figure 4 shows a photomicrograph of a 

 smear make on the second day. There were only a few leucocytes, and 

 those did not contain any streptococci. On the fourth day the discharge 



Fig. 4. Photomicrograph X 1500. Streptococci hi nasal discharge on sec- 

 ond day of sickness. 



had become thick and purulent, and smears made at that time presented 

 an entirely different picture. There were no free streptococci, but very 

 many leucocytes, some of which were loaded with streptococci. Figure 

 5 shows a photomicrograph of such a preparation made on the fourth 

 day. The purulent discharge continued for about a week, and during 

 this time it was easy to find leucocytes in the smears which contained 

 large numbers of streptococci. The streptococci finally disappeared, and 

 the patient made a complete recovery. 



In this case of streptococcus infection phagocytosis of the organ- 

 isms by the leucocytes seemed to be an important factor in combating 



