204 INFLAMMATORY AND SUPPURATIVE CONDITIOiNS. 



wherein he isolated a streptococcus which he regarded simply 

 as streptococcus pyogenes. 



Methods of Examination in Inflammatory and Suppurative 

 Conditions. — These are usually of a comparatively simple nature,, 

 and include (i) microscopic examination, (2) the making of 

 cultures. 



(i) The pus or other fluids should be examined microscopi- 

 cally, first of all by means of film preparations in order to deter- 

 mine the characters of the organisms present. The films should 

 be stained {a) by one of the ordinary solutions, such as carbol- 

 thionin-blue (p. loi), or a saturated watery solution of methylene- 

 blue ; and {b) by Gram's method. The use of the latter is of 

 course of high importance as an aid in the recognition. 



(2) As most of the pyogenic organisms grow readily on the 

 agar media at 37° C, pure cultures can be more rapidly obtained 

 by plating in the ordinary way than by using gelatin. When 

 the presence of either pneumococci or streptococci is suspected, 

 this method ought always to be used, sub-cultures preferably at 

 first being made in milk. Inoculation experiments may be 

 carried out as occasion arises. 



In cases of suspected blood infection the examination of the 

 blood is to be carried out by the methods already described, 

 (p. 72). 



