IV 



DIPHTHERIA 



HPHE bacillus of diphtheria, the Klebs-Loeffler 

 bacillus, was first described by Klebs in 1875, 

 and was first obtained in pure culture by Loeffler in 

 1884. Its isolation was a matter of great difficulty, 

 and the work of many years, because of its associa- 

 tion in the mouth with other species of bacteria. 

 The following table, from Hewlett's Manual of 

 Bacteriology, is a good instance of one of many 

 practical difficulties. Out of 353 cases of diphtheria, 

 bacteriological examination found the diphtheria- 

 bacillus alone in 216 cases. In the remaining 137 

 it was associated with the following organisms : — 



Streptococci ..... 6 



Staphylococci . . . . • 55 



Bacilli ...... 19 



Torute ..... 9 



Sarcinse ..... 6 



Streptococci and micrococci ... 2 



Micrococci and bacilli ... 9 



Streptococci and bacilli 1 



Torulse and bacilli 1 



Micrococci and sarcinae ... 6 



Micrococci and torulse . . . 4 



Many forms present together . . 19 



137 



120 



