348 APPLICATION OF METHODS OF BACTERIOLOGY 



faces in juxtaposition) it is often designated as diplococcus 

 of gonorrhea. It is always to be found in gonorrheal pus, 

 and often persists in the genital discharges and secretions far 

 into the stage of convalescence. It is not present in inflam- 

 matory conditions other than those of gonorrheal origin. 



It is easily detected microscopically in the secretions of 

 acute gonorrhea. In secondary lesions and in very old, 

 chronic cases it is difficult of detection and frequently 



Fig. 69 



Pus of gonorrhea, showing diplococci in the bodies of the pus-cells. 



eludes all efforts to find it. It is stained by the ordinary 

 methods, but perhaps most satisfactorily with the alkaline 

 solution of methylene-blue. Most important as a differen- 

 tial test is its failure to stain by the method of Gram. (How 

 does this compare with the behavior of the other pyogenic 

 cocci when treated in the same way"?) 



It does not grow upon ordinary nutrient media, and has 

 only been isolated in culture through the employment of 

 special methods. Its growth under artificial conditions 

 seems to depend upon some particular nutrient substance 

 that is supplied by blood or blood-serum, and in all the media 



