TUBERCLE 59 



TUBERCLE 



The diagnosis of tuberculosis by bacteriological methods (in 

 the case of most morbid exudates) is within the reach of every 

 practitioner ; cultural methods are not used, and the recognition 

 of the bacillus is rapid, easy, and certain. 



The bacilli may be sought for in sputum, urine, pus, fasces, or 

 any other morbid material. We will first describe the method of 

 staining which should be adopted, then the characters on which 

 the recognition of the bacillus depends, and, lastly, the methods 

 by which the films are prepared from the various materials. 



Staining the Tubercle Bacillus. 



Requisites. — i. Slides, cover-glasses, forceps, and balsam. 



2. A Bunsen burner or spirit-lamp. 



3. Dilute sulphuric acid — about 20 per cent. — contained in a 

 wide-mouthed bottle or in a jar. This must be large enough to 

 admit a slide, but not large enough to permit it to fall down to 

 the bottom. 



4. Carbol fuchsin. 



5. Methylene blue. (Saturated watery solution or Loffler's blue.) 



6. A metal (iron or copper) plate. The exact dimensions do 

 not matter, but 8 by 4 by i inches is a convenient size. It should 

 be mounted upon a tripod. This slab is not absolutely necessary, 

 but it is a very great advantage. 



Method. — We will suppose that the film has been prepared by 

 one of the methods described subsequently, allowed to dry, and 

 fixed by heat. 



1. Place the slide upon the metal plate, and heat the latter by 

 the flame. Flood the slide with carbol fuchsin, and let the heat 

 continue until the stain steams, but do not allow it to dry up ; let 

 this go on for from three to five minutes. If the stain shows 

 signs of drying up, add a little more ; if it begins to boil, slide it 

 along the plate away from the flame, or remove the latter for a 

 short time. 



If you have no metal plate, it is possible to hold the slide with 

 a pair of forceps, but in this case the film is most conveniently 

 made on a cover-glass. 



Remember not to let the stain dry up. 



2. Remove the slide from the plate with the forceps, and wash 

 it under the tap or in a bowl of water. 



