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Class which includes the orders of the Virales and the Rickettsiales.  

Living creatures of microscopical size and relatively simple structure. A term embracing viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa. A very small, single-celled living organism that cannot usually be seen by the naked eye. The most important micro-organisms in medicine are those that cause disease. This ‘pathogenic’ group, however, forms only a small proportion of the enormous…

Commensal urinary organism with the power of converting urea to ammonium carbonate.  

Normally commensal micrococcus, occasionally pathogenic to man. Pathogenic to mouse. The cocci are seen in plates of 4 (tetrads), and are slightly larger than staphylococci; capsules are seen in tissue smears.  

Bacteria which require oxygen for growth, but at a lower concentration than that present in atmospheric air. The requisite condition may be achieved by placing the cultures in a tightly closed tin with a burning night-light; this will be extinguished as the oxygen level falls.  

Shaking machine for the mechanical disruption of bacteria, with release of their substance, by contact with glass beads.  

Statutorily designated (UK) milk test in which 10 ml of milk (from a sample stored overnight at a temperature not above 70°F) must not completely decolorize 1.0 ml of a standardized methylene blue solution with which it is mixed in a 152 x 16 mm (reductase) tube. The tube is incubated for 30 minutes, and…

Micro-organisms growing between approximately 25°and 40°C, in the middle range of temperature.  

Sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate, which in dilute solution is added as an antiseptic to sera and antitoxins.  

Yeast extract agar for enterococci, selective by the inclusion of thallous acetate. Maroon colonies of enterococci, surrounded by a clear zone, result from the fermentation of sorbitol, reduction of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride, and decomposition of tyrosine.