THE ORGANISMS OF SUPPURATION. 187 



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of these evea the greater number are really diplococci, 

 of which only one cell can be seen, for as their long 

 axes are perpendicular to the surface of the slide, they 

 lie one above the other. They vary very much in 

 size; on an average their longest diameter is from 

 T0V5 to -aoVo of a mm. in length. 



By its characteristic form, and also by its peculiar 

 position, either in or upon the cell, the gonococcus 

 may be distinguished from all other similar organ- 

 isms. 



After treatment with the methylene blue, as 

 described above, the gonococci themselves should be 

 coloured an intense blue, whilst the nuclei are paler, 

 and the plasma is only faintly tinted. Gram's 

 method must not be used, as the micrococci become 

 immediately decolourised. Moreover, the preparations 

 must only be rinsed in water, or at the most should 

 be dipped for a moment in one per cent, acetic acid, 

 and then immediately rinsed with distilled water in 

 order to prevent the slight decolourisation which has 

 by this means been produced in the pus corpuscles 

 from spreading to the gonococci. Contrast staining 

 may also be attempted ; the preparation is first 

 coloured with eosin, after which it is treated with 

 methylene blue; by this means the pus corpuscles 

 are coloured red, and the gonococci blue. 



These preparations, however, are not distinct in 

 outline, and are therefore not to be recommended. 



