Chapter XXVI 



LOEFFLER'S BLOOD-SERUM CULTURE 

 MEDIUM 



It is universally conceded by bacteriologists 

 that blood-serum in the form of Loeffler's mix- 

 ture is the most favorable medium for the 

 growth of the diphtheria bacillus. On this me- 

 dium, diphtheria bacilli grow very rapidly and 

 are not easily overgrown and obscured by con- 

 taminating bacteria. Therefore, Loeffler's Cul- 

 ture Medium is used particularly for diagnostic 

 purposes in examining cultures from the nose 

 and throat of persons suspected of having 

 diphtheria. 



According to Mallory and Wright, the blood- 

 serum mixture of Loeffler is the best culture me- 

 dium for the routine examination of pathologic 

 material. Owing to the more rapid and luxuri- 

 ant growth of certain important pathogenic bac- 

 teria upon it than upon ordinary media, Loef- 

 fler's Blood-Serum Culture Medium is adapt- 

 able for a large variety of diagnostic work. 



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