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MANUAL OF BACTERIOLOGY. 



probably non-pathogenic, which have been found occasionally 

 in the vulvo-vaginal tract and in the uretha, which, it is said, 

 are also decolorized by Gram's method. Such organisms are 

 not likely to present all the points mentioned as characteristic 

 of the gonococcus. The recognition of the gonococcus in the 

 discharges of a case of acute gonorrhea is usually an easy 

 matter. It must be admitted, however, that in cases having 

 chronic discharges, when its detection is most to be desired. 



Fig. 74. — Gonococci and pus-cells. (Xiooo.) 



the diagnosis may become very difficult and is frequently im- 

 possible, except by culture-methods, owing to secondary in- 

 fection with the ordinary pus-forming or other bacteria, which 

 may be present in larger numbers than the gonococci 

 themselves. 



The gonococcus grows only in the incubator, and cannot 

 therefore be cultivated upon gelatin. Its cultivation is, in fact, 

 a matter of some difficulty. The medium usually selected 

 is a mixture of agar with human blood-serum. The blood- 



