METHODS OF EXAMINATION 223 



epithelial masses, that the bacteria find a favourable medium 

 upon which to develop. In normal vaginal secretion the 

 vaginal bacillus of Doderlein is regularly found, and the 

 thrush fungus and yeast cells axe often met with, while Sta- 

 phylococcus pyogenes albus, citreus, and aureus are no rarities. 



Micro-organisms are also found in the sebaceous and 

 sweat glands. Brunner discovered, for example, that strep- 

 tococci may be detected in the sweat during suppurative 

 processes, and Garre conversely was able to start a phlegmon 

 by rubbing a culture of staphylococci into his unwounded 

 arm. The appearance of coloured siveat is due to the 

 presence oi Bacillus pyocyannis anA Micrococcus hcsmatodes , 

 whilst in the foul-smelHng perspiration on the feet Eosen- 

 bach found the Bacillus saprogenes II. (see p. 176). 



Preindlsberger isolated from the sub-ungual space the 

 Micrococcus cereus albus and flavus, the Diplococcus lique- 

 faciens albus and citreus, Micrococcus candicans, Sarcina alba 

 smi flava, and white yeast; and of pathogenic micro-organ- 

 isms the Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus and Streptococciis 

 pyogenes.^ 



Methods of examination.^ — In order to stain the micro- 

 organisms in the skin, the objects to be examined must 

 first be freed from fat in alcohol and ether, after which they 

 are stained in glycerine methyl blue by spreading them out 

 with needles upon a slide and letting the stain act for some 

 minutes ; the micro-organisms appear blue, the epidermis 

 colourless. In Bock's process the epidermic scales, after 

 being freed from fat, are deposited for half a minute to 

 several minutes in borax methyl blue, then for half a 

 minute to a minute in a weak aqueous solution {\ to 1 per 

 cent.) of resorcine, and then for some minutes to an hour 

 in alcohol. To make the fungi stand out clearly, the 



' [The Trichophyton tonsurans also occurs in this situation, causing the 

 disease known as onychomycosis.] — Te. 



