MICROCOCCUS GONORRHEA 89 



A more serious and baffling phase of gonorrhea is seen in 

 the vulvovaginitis of little girls, which frequently sweeps 

 like wildfire through a hospital ward, despite all attempts to 

 stay its progress. It also appears in any institution where 

 children are in close contact, schools, for example. It is 

 supposed to be transmitted by water-closet seats and directly 

 from child to child. It may be spread by bedclothes, towels, 

 clothing, basins, bed-pans, and in other ways. Children 

 have been known to contract the affection by occupying the 

 same bed as an infected person. Efforts to eradicate this 

 vulvovaginitis should be directed toward removing the source. 

 This is sometimes impossible, since it cannot always be found. 

 It is much better to institute a strict quarantine of every 

 little girl admitted to a ward by using separate bed and body 

 clothing and utensils. She should be examined by the house 

 physician upon admission, and if necessary, proper bacterio- 

 logical examinations made. If affected, such objects that 

 are used on her as can be burned should be so disposed of. 

 Others should be soaked in carbolic acid solution for at least 

 twenty-four hours. It is the practice in many places to place 

 on all female children a T-binder, which is burned upon 

 removal. Patients must not be allowed to go to the water- 

 closet, but a bed- pan used, to be later disinfected by appro- 

 priate solutions. Flaming objects, such as a bed-pan, is an 

 excellent method of disinfection. The curious part about 

 the transmission of vulvovaginitis is that its causative agent, 

 presumably always the gonococcus, is either in a highly 

 resistant state, or it is protected in some manner, since 

 agencies, such as drying, that will kill the bacterium under 

 ordinary conditions seem to have little or no effect upon it. 



The gonococcus was first described by Neisser in 1879. 

 It is classified, and correctly, among the round organisms or 

 cocci, although it is usually seen in pairs like two kidney beans 

 with their concave sides together; they are also said to be of 

 biscuit shape. Each bean is about -gimnr of an inch wide and 

 f an mcn long. In pus or culture they are of this 



