132 ESSAYS ON BACTERIOLOGY. 



ant satisfaction of recognition as pioneers not only of 

 science, but of everyday practical medicine. That 

 which often enables ns to diagnose earlier, more ac- 

 cnrately, and with more certainty than by any other 

 means, such common diseases as tuberculosis, malaria 

 and diphtheria, needs now no justification by him who 

 applies it. He knows, and it is now gladly acknowl- 

 edged, that he is exhibiting more than the interest and 

 zca] of the scientist: he is applying the helpful art of 

 the pliysician. 



The number of diseases in which bacterial diagnosis 

 is applicable in everyday work is not yet large, but 

 fortimately it includes several of great practical im- 

 portance. The details of procedure are now so fully 

 set forth in the books on bacteriology, diagnosis and 

 practice that an extensive discussion of them here 

 would be out of place. A brief description of some 

 of them may, however, be appropriate. 



Acute specific urethritis usually declares itself so 

 clearly in its symptoms and clinical history that bac- 

 terial diagnosis is seldom a necessity, though, being so 

 simple and rapid, it may properly be applied in every 

 suspected case. But in the presence of special cir- 

 cumstances or difficulties, clinical, medico-legal or so- 

 cial, it is of great value. The procedure is as follows: 

 Having prepared the specimen upon the cover glass 

 by the usual method of spreading, drying and heating, 

 it is floated upon or covered with a cold watery solu- 

 tion of methyl blue. After one-half minute to two 



