DISCUSSION. 351 



some other instances we encountered the diphobacillus of Morax, and 

 in about 15 or 20 per cent and in a certain number of normal people we 

 found a Gram-positive, nonmotile organism which we considered identical 

 with the Xerosis bacillus. 



Dr. Henry Fraser, director, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala 

 Lumpur, delegate from the government of the Federated Malay States. — 

 Some five years ago I took part in an extensive investigation on the 

 bacteriology of conjunctivitis. We devoted the first year to learning 

 methods and thereafter made a bacteriological and clinical examination 

 of every case of conjunctivitis admitted during one year to the ophthalmic 

 department of the hospital and the public dispensary. Nearly 1,000 

 cases were dealt with in this way. 



Conjunctivitis caused by the Koch- Weeks bacillus is an acute infection. 

 A lotion of boric acid to remove the discharge and keep the eyes clean is 

 all that is necessary. 



Conjunctivitis caused by the diplobacillus most frequently runs a 

 chronic course. It can readily be cured by the instillation of drops con- 

 taining zinc sulphate. These drops sting when they come in contact 

 with the conjunctiva,' so that the treatment in the hands of laymen may 

 prove ineffective, but when properly applied a cure must result. The 

 use of silver salts in either of these forms of conjunctivitis is unnecessary. 



The cultivation of the Koch- Weeks bacillus is easy on ovarian agar. 

 The bacillus staining by Gram and described by Doctor Brooke is in all 

 probability the Bacillus xerosis. This organism is frequently found in 

 cases of conjunctivitis, as has already been stated. 



Dr. Allan J. McLaughlin, passed assistant surgeon, United States 

 Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service, Assistant Director of Health, 

 assistant professor of hygiene, Philippine Medical School, Manila, P. I. — 

 I regret very much not hearing the first part of this interesting paper. 

 I wish to state that I have never yet seen a ease of conjunctivitis which did 

 not clear up in a very few days regardless of what bacillus was present. 

 I agree with Doctor Brooke that the first stage of trachoma is indis- 

 tinguishable from acute conjunctivitis of other kinds. In the rejection 

 at Naples of 15,000 Italian immigrants ■ embarking for the United 

 States, this fact was considered and all having acute conjunctivitis were 

 held. Many cases could then be passed after ten days as not having 

 trachoma. In fact, ten clays' treatment usually cleared up a ease of 

 simple, acute conjunctivitis, while real trachoma persists after the treat- 

 ment and goes on to new tissue formation, ulceration and cicatrization. 

 There is absolutely no relation between the conjunctivitis which clears 

 up and trachoma. The two must not be confused. Trachoma is always 

 chronic and is never cured in the acute stage. 



Doctor Brooke. — Doctor Atkinson asked a question in regard to the 

 technique. This is relatively easy, even a wooden match will do- quite as 



