356 APPLICATION OF METHODS OF BACTERIOLOGY 



described as occurring in the pus of acute urethritis and of 

 other purulent inflammations. Many of these are of no 

 significance. Some of them possess peculiarities that might 

 lead to confusion. The diplococcus described by Heiman' 

 has certain points of resemblance to the gonococcus, such 

 as its location in the bodies of pus-cells, its grouping as 

 diplococci, its size and general appearance; but it is still 

 readily distinguished from the gonococcus by its retention 

 of color when treated by Gram's method. The diplococcus 

 detected by Bumm in puerperal cystitis is likewise often 

 found within pus-cells, but it is readily differentiated from 

 the gonococcus by its growth upon ordinary nutrient media. 

 Micrococcus intracellularis of Weichselbaum, isolated 

 from the sero-purulent fluid of the spinal canal in cases of 

 epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, is microscopically also 

 strikingly like the gonococcus as it is seen in pus; but, 

 unlike the latter organism, may be cultivated by the ordinary 

 methods. 



Micrococcus catarrhalis, so often seen within the bodies 

 of pus cells in the nasal discharges of acute catarrh also 

 suggests the organism under consideration, but is easily 

 differentiated by its growth on the ordinary culture media. 



Summary of Distinguishing Peculiarities. — Since gonorrheal 

 discharges may be contaminated wi,th pyogenic cocci other 

 than those causing the specific inflammation, it is important 

 in efforts to identify the gonococcus that the differential 

 tests be borne in mind and put into practice. The gonococcus 

 is differentiated from the commoner pyogenic organisms 

 by the following peculiarities. 



First, it is practically always seen in the form of diplococci, 



'New York Medical Record, June 22, 1895. 



