90 



LOCALIZED INFECTIONS OF PUS NATURE 



figure, but in the former they are characteristically lying 

 within the pus cells between the wall and the nucleus, but 

 not within the latter. Free pairs are also seen, but it is unwise 

 to name them when not in the cells, because other cocci may 

 resemble them. There is a resemblance between these 

 organisms and those of meningitis (p. 91), but the clinical 

 differentiation is not difficult, since the diseases are easily 

 separated. 



The gonococcus does not stain by Gram's method, a quite 

 important criterion for the bacteriologist. It is cultivated 

 with difficulty. For purposes of growing it in the laboratory 







FIG. 28. Pus of gonorrhea, showing diplococci in the bodies of the pus cells. 



(Abbott.) 



a broth or jelly must be used to which has been added some 

 blood or blood serum or fluid from a hydrocele or the peri- 

 toneum. It grows best in the presence of free oxygen, a 

 curious fact, since it will live for long periods in places where 

 there is no free oxygen. It grows best at 98 F. (37.5 C.) 

 but dies out very rapidly. In the ice-chest it may live some- 

 what longer. 



Direct sunlight kills the gonococcus almost at once. 105 

 F. (41 C.) will kill the organism in a few minutes. Almost 

 any good disinfectants will kill it in five minutes if directly 

 applied to the bare germ. "If completely dried, however, 



