510 Dr. C. T. Williams. On the Influence of certain Fluids 



" Observations on the Influence of certain Culture Fluids 

 and Medicinal Reagents in the Growth and Development 

 of the Bacillus tuberculosis? By C. THEODORE WILLIAMS, 

 M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., Physician to the Hospital for Con- 

 sumption, Brompton. Communicated by Sir Joseph 

 Fayrer, K.C.S.I., F.R.S. Received December 28, 1883. 

 Read January 24, 1884. 



(Abstract.) 



The object of the inquiry is to determine the conditions under 

 which the Bacillus tuberculosis of Koch grows and multiplies, and to 

 examine its behaviour under the influence of certain medicinal agents 

 and reputed antiseptics. 



The sputum of patients in advanced phthisis was used for experi- 

 ment, on account of its abundance, the number of tubercle bacilli 

 found in it, and its being easily preserved from decomposition when 

 protected from the air. It was spread on cover-glasses, due precau- 

 tions being taken to ensure a uniform thickness of the film, and the 

 staining process used was that known as the Weigert-Ehrlich modifica- 

 tion of Koch's original method. 



Between 200 and 300 specimens were thus prepared and examined 

 with a Zeiss microscope with Abbe condenser, under an F. objective 

 (=Yt immersion lens) and No. 2 ocular, giving a magnifying power 

 of 550 diameters, this being the field generally used for counting the 

 bacilli, and higher powers, up to 1390 diameters, were employed for 

 investigating the structure of the bacilli. 



The methods adopted to ascertain the increase or diminution of the 

 bacilli were : — 1st, to count the numbers present in a series of fields 

 of the microscope, at least six, and often twelve, being counted, and 

 in doubtful cases the whole slide was carefully gone over before a con- 

 clusion was arrived at ; 2nd, to note the length of the bacilli and the 

 presence or absence of well-marked divisions in these, preceding their 

 multiplication ; 3rd, to observe whether the bacilli are isolated or in 

 groups. 



In every case a standard for comparison was first taken from the 

 sputum, and the number of bacilli counted ; the rest of the sputum 

 was divided into portions of 20 to 30 minims, mixed with solutions of 

 various medicinal and other agents, and then kept in a Page's incubator 

 at a uniform temperature of 38° C, for periods of from forty-eight 

 hours to eight days. The following cultivation fluids were used : — 



Syrup solution of the strength of 2 drachms of syrup to 1 ounce of 

 water. 



Hay infusion. 



