MICROCOCCUS GONORRHEA 99 



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 

 somewhat longer. 



Direct sunlight kills the gonococcus almost at once. 

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

 Almost any good disinfectant will kill it in five minutes 

 if directly applied to the bare germ. "If completely 

 dried, however, and protected from light, it may live 

 on sheets and clothing, from eighteen to twenty-four 

 hours." 



This bacterium produces an intracellular or endo- 

 toxin, which is as potent when injected into animals as 

 a devitalized mass as the living form itself, although 

 the gonococcus has very little effect upon laboratory 

 experimental animals. Some observers have been 

 able, by injecting goats with coccus poison or the 

 germs themselves, to produce an antiserum against 

 the gonococcus, and therewith treat human cases with 

 some success. Vaccination with killed gonococci has 

 been found of some value in chronic stages and, by 

 some observers, in acute stages also. 



The bacteriological diagnosis is easily made by 

 spreading some of the pus upon glass slides, staining 

 appropriately, and examining under the microscope. 

 In the chronic gonococcus infection the discovery of 

 the germ is extremely difficult. For the diagnosis of 

 obscure cases of vulvovaginitis Dr. Norris recommends 

 a washing with 1 to 5000 bichloride solution in a pipette 

 filled with a bulb. The chemical removes the surface 

 epithelium and cocci hidden in the depths are drawn 

 out. The fluid can be centrifugalized and the sediment 

 stained. 



