SÉANCE DU 16 NOVEMBRE 995 



DIPHTHERIA 

 GERM CARRIERS 



by LOUIS MARTIN 



As soon as the diphlheria bacillus was discovered researches were 

 made on the means of conservation of this bacillus outside of 

 épidémies. 



At first, one thought of incriminaling Ihe fragments of false mem- 

 branes and mucosities expulsed from the throat ; in fact the bacilli 

 may live and remain virulent for a long time in dried up false mem- 

 branes. Disinfection was opposed to this mode of propagation. 



The GERM CARRIERS. 



Diphtheria appeared to be'able to break ont after the return of 

 convalescents to their homes, and, as early as 1890, Messrs. Roux and 

 Yersin pointed out and explained the contagion power of thèse 

 convalescents. ïhey asked to hâve them isolated on the basis that 

 virulent bacilli p^rsist a long time afler an apparent recovery. Thèse 

 convalescents which had recovered were the fîrst carriers witnessed. 



When mild aborted diphtheria was known as well as hidden diphtheria 

 localized in the naso-pharynx, red diphtheric anginas, it wasunderstood 

 that convalescents from ail thèse abnormal diphterias could also be 

 germs carriers. 



Are there any germ carriers having presented no morbid manifes- 

 tation? This must seldom occur. 



Technique of détection of carriers. 



The best cultivation médium is coagulated ox sérum; but horse 

 sérum may also be used, 



We recommend culture with a spatula. If one is careful enough 

 to raise the culture on the whole surface of the tube, isolated colonies 

 are obtained, that are easy to distinguish, and moreover this technique 

 allows the denumeration of the colonies; which is very important. 



