MALLEIN REACTION 365 



to thirty -six hours, but the potato will not show the characteristic 

 amber-yellow growth under forty-eight to seventy-two hours. 



(3) It will usually be necessary (in man, at least) to confirm the 

 diagnosis by an inoculation experiment. A fully developed male 

 guinea-pig is chosen, and a little of the discharge or an emulsion 

 of the material (0-5 to 1 c.c.) is injected intraperitoneally, if the 

 material be fairly sterile, but if not, subcutaneously. In three to 

 five days the animal should show the characteristic swelling of 

 the testicles if the material be glandered. 



(4) An ophthalmo -reaction is stated to be reliable both in man 

 and in animals. 



(5) In animals the mallein test may be applied. The dose is 

 injected subcutaneously in the neck over the vertebrae, and 

 midway between the jaw and the shoulder. 



(a) The temperature of the animal should be taken if possible 

 morning and evening for two or three days previous to inocula- 

 tion ; in any case at the twentieth hour after inoculation, or, 

 better, at frequent intervals from the twelfth to the twentieth 

 hour. 



(6) A complete reaction comprises (i) a rise of temperature of 

 more than 2-5 F., (ii) an extensive hot and painful swelling at the 

 seat of inoculation. Systemic disturbance, such as prostration, 

 loss of appetite, shivering, etc., may occur. 



(c) The temperature reaction is unreliable in all cases in which 

 the temperature at the time of inoculation is 2-5 F. above the 

 normal. In such cases, if there be any suspicious clinical signs to 

 assist, reliance may be placed upon the local swelling. 



The method of injection of mallein into the eyelid is now prac- 

 tised as it is more convenient. A concentrated mallein is used 

 and 2 minims are injected under the skin of the under-eyelid near 

 the middle. The eyes are inspected twenty-four, thirty -six and 

 forty-eight hours after the injection. A positive reaction con- 

 sists of a discharge of mucus from the inner canthus and of a 

 characteristic tender swelling of one or both eyelids, more or less 

 closing the eye. 



(6) In animals the agglutination reaction is stated by Moore 

 and Taylor 1 to give accurate results. In man this test might 

 give an inconclusive result (see p. 363). 



1 Journ. of Infect. Diseases, Sup. No. 3, May, 1907, p. 85. 



