PECULIARITIES OF THE OONOCOCCUS. 297 



coccus as it is seen in pus; but, unlike the latter 

 organism, may easily be cultivated by the ordinary 

 cul t ure-meth ods. 



Positive and Negative Distinguishixg Pecuij- 

 ARiTiES OF the Goxococcuh. — Since gonorrhceal dis- 

 charges may be contaminated with pyogenic cocci other 

 than those causing the specific inflammation, it is im- 

 portant in eiforts to isolate this organism that the dif- 

 ferential tests be borne in mind and put into practice. 

 The gonococcus is diiferentiated from the commoner 

 pyogenic organisms by the following peculiarities : 



First, it is practically ah^ays seen in the form of dip- 

 lococci, the pair of individual cells having the appear- 

 ance of two hemispheres, with the diameters opposed 

 and separated from one another by a narrow, colorless 

 slit. (Is this the case with staphylococcus or strepto- 

 coccus pyogenes f) 



Second, in gonorrhceal pus it is practically always to 

 be found within the protojilasmic bodies of pus-cells. 

 (How does this compare with the conditions found in 

 ordinary pus ?) 



Third, it stains readily with the ordinary staining- 

 reagents, but loses its color when treated by the method of 

 Gram. (Treat a cover-slip from ordinary pus by this 

 method and not* the result.) 



Fourth, it does not develop upon any of the ordinary 

 media used in the laboratory ; while the common pus- 

 organisms, with perhaps the exception of the strepto- 

 cocci, are vigorous growers and are not markedly fas- 

 tidious as to their nutritive medium. 



Fifth, when obtained in pure culture by either of the 

 special procedures noted above, its cultivation may be 

 continued upon the same medium ; but growth will 



